The Unfulfilled Promise of Public Housing in Seoul : Dongja-dong and the Right to Live

This book examines contemporary Korea's housing crisis through Dongja-dong, a Seoul district, exploring how the most vulnerable urban poor navigate precarious housing circumstances and presenting an unconventional yet potentially effective solution to this pressing issue.

This book examines contemporary Korea's housing crisis through Dongja-dong, a Seoul district, exploring how the most vulnerable urban poor navigate precarious housing circumstances and presenting an unconventional yet potentially effective solution to this pressing issue. Readers gain unique insights into the complex conflict between multiple stakeholders: residents of jjokbang (tiny single-room housing units prevalent in major Korean cities) who have no alternative but to accept substandard living conditions; developers eager to repurpose the land; and jjokbang landowners who oppose redevelopment because government proposals for public housing conflict with their desire to maximize property profits. Through detailed examination of this housing struggle, the book reveals the remarkably organized nature of Korean housing activism and demonstrates the community-centric approaches through which jjokbang residents collectively mitigate their challenging living conditions. This book is essential for academics and researchers in Asian Studies, Korean studies, and Public Policy, as well as policymakers interested in addressing urban housing inequities through innovative community-based solutions.