A whisper of history hangs in the air. Here before us stands Guryong Village a testament to resilience.
Guryong Village. It’s a shantytown nestled unexpectedly in the heart of Seoul’s affluent Gangnam District. Across a six-lane motorway lies a world of stark contrast. Guryong Village’s story began in 1988. Rapid development for the Seoul Olympics displaced many low-income families. They found refuge here building homes on privately owned land.
For decades Guryong Village persisted. Despite numerous attempts at demolition it remained. It became known as the last slum in Gangnam. Though some dispute this claim several other informal settlements existed. The population fluctuated wildly. At its peak it housed around 8000 people in 2000 homes. By 2012-2014 the population dwindled to 2500. The residents mostly elderly and impoverished. They eked out a living earning very little each day. In 2011 they were granted temporary residency cards.
Life in Guryong Village was challenging. Homes were cramped and lacked safety standards. Fires were a constant threat. One devastating fire in January 2023 destroyed over 60 homes displacing dozens of residents. Yet despite the hardship the villagers created a community. They established essential services. A post office a kindergarten a church even utilities were all present.
The Seoul government eventually began relocating residents. Starting in the mid-2010s they offered subsidized housing. By 2019 almost 40% of households were relocated. The government planned complete demolition by 2025. Apartments would replace the village. Rent would be drastically reduced for former residents. The land on which the village sits covers about 70 acres. Each home ranged in size from a tiny 16 square meters to almost 100 square meters. The history of Guryong Village is not just about its physical location. It is also about the struggle for survival and the human spirit. It’s a place of resilience hope and a poignant reminder of the complexities of urban development. It’s a story still unfolding.