Human Rights Commission: "Residents of Goshiwon and jjokbang Must Be Guaranteed the Right to Live in Adequate Housing"

Recommendation to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Establish Laws for Enhancing Human Rights of 'Non-Compliant Housing Residents'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport establish related laws and regulations to improve the human rights of people living in poor conditions such as goshiwon and jjokbang.

On the 8th, the Human Rights Commission stated, "There have been continuous casualties due to fires in goshiwons, and petitions demanding measures for residents of jjokbang and other places threatened by summer heatwaves have been raised," adding, "The human rights issues of people living in poor housing conditions have emerged as a social problem."

According to the Population and Housing Census by Statistics Korea, the number of households living in non-residential places such as lodging rooms, shacks, vinyl houses, and goshiwons rapidly increased from 54,000 in 2005 to 360,000 in 2015. The Human Rights Commission judged that 'inadequate housing,' exposed to small spaces, aging buildings, and poor environmental hygiene, infringes on the right to live a dignified life, health rights, the right to life, and freedom of privacy.

The Human Rights Commission recommended that the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport establish an action plan to expand the supply volume of programs such as the 'Housing Ladder Support Project,' which provides existing purchased rental or jeonse rental housing at affordable rents to citizens living in jjokbang, goshiwon, yeoinsuk, and other places. It also pointed out the necessity to revise minimum area and facility standards considering changes in household composition, housing conditions, and international standards.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.