'#Supporting_Good_Rent' COVID-19 Crisis... Rent Reduction Movement Continues

Photo by Instagram, screenshot of '#ChakhanImdaein' hashtag posts

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] As the donation parade of stars continues to overcome the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, a relay campaign for 'rent reduction' is being carried out with the purpose of sharing the difficulties faced by self-employed people and small business owners in running their businesses.

The 'rent reduction' campaign proceeds by posting messages on social networking services (SNS) with hashtags such as '#Supporting_Kind_Rent' and '#Kind_Landlord', encouraging participation in rent reduction and nominating the next participant.

On the 3rd, Hong Seokcheon stated on his Instagram post, "#Supporting_Kind_Rent. I am glad to join this good campaign upon the nomination of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon."

He said, "In fact, since early last year, I have been working on the campaign to revive Gyeongridan-gil, already starting to lower rents with the building owners there," adding, "Building owners in Itaewon are also joining in lowering rents for many self-employed people struggling due to COVID-19."

He continued, "This is truly welcome news. I cheer on this small but powerful support during this difficult season of crisis."

Photo by Hong Seokcheon, broadcaster, Instagram post capture

Hong Seokcheon nominated singer Park Hye-kyung and Monk Hyemin as the next participants.

Earlier that day, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon posted on his Instagram that he would join the relay campaign.

Mayor Park said, "The biggest difficulty for businesses facing survival crises due to the COVID-19 aftermath is the store rent," and added, "Although it is never an easy decision, I support the nationwide spread of the 'Kind Landlord Movement' already appearing in various regions."

The 'rent reduction' campaign is actively continuing not only among politicians and celebrities but also among non-celebrities. Good stories of landlords who decided to reduce rent are being shared, rapidly spreading positive influence.

A person A, who runs a skin care clinic in Gwangju, posted a message received from their landlord, saying, "I thought there was no breathing room as the COVID-19 situation prolonged, but it is fortunate in many ways."

The message A shared included, "You must be very worried because of COVID-19, right? We will only charge 50% of the rent for March."

Person B, a self-employed individual in Incheon, also shared a message from their landlord stating a 20% rent reduction for March and April, expressing gratitude by saying, "I am thankful that the monthly rent has not increased even by 10 won for over 10 years, and I almost cried from just one text message."

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