Goshiwon is a unique form of dormitory-style single housing facility in South Korea. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — In the midst of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the toughening of social distancing rules, an increasing number of young people are being forced to spend more time at home.
This phenomenon is shedding light on the poor housing conditions facing them.
With coffee shops and PC bangs (internet cafes) shut down – businesses which often served as a ‘home away from home’ for young people and their tiny prison cell-like apartments – the poor housing conditions facing young people are becoming more apparent.
In some cases, young employees who have to work from home are constantly searching to find a better place to work since the condition of their housing is too poor.
According to a report released in 2017 by the Land and Housing Institute, the share of those living in apartments that don’t meet the standard ‘minimum’ residential space of 14 square meters is 22.6 percent among young single-person households, far higher than 12 percent for overall households.
As such, some experts have pointed out that policymakers need to think about the fundamental reasons why young people choose to spend time outside of their homes.
“I feel sorry that the government is enacting ‘stay-at-home’ measures without a deep understanding of the residential gap or the situation facing the vulnerable groups of society, simply based on the assumption that homes are safe and convenient places for everyone,” said Kim Young-min, the Secretary General of the Youth Community Union.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
