The Student Council of the Workers’ Party for Reforming Society held a press conference in front of the government complex in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jun. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – University students who live alone in Seoul spend more than half of their monthly living expenses on rent.
It has been pointed out that there should be necessary improvement in living conditions as high rent does not provide a better living environment.
The Student Council of the Workers’ Party for Reforming Society held a press conference in front of the government complex in Seoul on Thursday.
The council claimed the government should introduce policies such as a limit on rent, improvement of facilities that fall short of minimum housing standards, and conversion of private rental houses to public housing.
The council surveyed the housing conditions of 341 college students who live on their own in Seoul from May 13 to June 7.
The average monthly cost of living for students was 932,000 won (US$787), and monthly housing costs, including double monthly rent and utility bills, accounted for nearly half of the overall living expenses, the report showed.
In terms of housing, studio apartments accounted for 78.6 percent of the total. So called ‘two-room’ apartments accounted for 6.2 percent, and shared housing followed at 4.7 percent.
In some cases, 22.6 percent of the population fell short of the minimum residential area of 14 square meters per person.
Students complained about high housing costs, accounting for 55.2 percent, small residential areas, accounting for 47.4 percent, and poor soundproofing, ventilation, cooling and heating facilities, accounting for 43.1 percent.
There were also many students who wanted to receive support for housing costs and rent, expand public housing for college students and regulate the residential environment, the council explained.
“If you look at the statistics from the Ministry of Education, the number of college students who solve housing problems in the private rental market is about twice the number of students who live in dormitories at each university,” said the council.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
