Defiant Residents Refuse Eviction in Seoul's Wealthy Gangnam District
Hundreds in a Gangnam shantytown fight to keep their homes as the city moves to redevelop the area, highlighting the housing crisis in one of the world's most expensive cities.
Gangnam, the affluent district of Seoul, South Korea, is known for its luxury apartments, high-end shopping, and expensive real estate. However, nestled in this wealthy enclave is a shantytown where hundreds of residents are refusing to be evicted, fighting for their right to own a home in one of the world's most unaffordable housing markets.
The city's plan to redevelop the area has sparked a standoff between residents and authorities, as the residents argue that they deserve a stake in the lucrative district they have called home for decades. The shantytown, known as Guryong Village, is a stark contrast to the glittering high-rises and designer boutiques that have come to define Gangnam.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}For the residents, the fight to stay is about more than just a roof over their heads. It's a battle for social justice and the right to affordable housing in a city where the average price of an apartment in Gangnam is estimated to be around $1 million. Many of the residents are elderly, low-income, or disabled, and have lived in the shantytown for decades, eking out a living through odd jobs and small businesses.
Source: The New York Times
