Hello citizens! 🌃South Korea is often celebrated as the “Miracle on the Han River” for its rapid economic growth and transformation after the Korean War. However, as Seoul evolved into a glittering metropolis, its poorer communities—many of whom lived along the riverbanks—were pushed to the city’s outskirts. Over time, informal settlements disappeared, except for one: Guryong Village. Today, we are diving into the current conditions of this last Shanty Town in Seoul. Nestled in the shadow of one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods, Gangnam, we will try to comprehend its history, social context, and its redevelopment plan.

A history of displacement and resilience 

Guryong Village is the last illegal informal settlement, or panjachon, remaining in Seoul. It was founded in 1988 on the hillside of Mt.Guryong, which is located in Gaepo-dong of Gangnam District, the wealthiest area of Seoul Metropolitan Region and occupies approximately 260.000 square meters, with about 1100 households.

The development of informal settlements in Seoul began after Japanese colonialism in 1945,  when unexpected waves of migrants from Japan, Manchuria, and other parts of Korea flooded into Seoul.  With nowhere to go, they built makeshift homes on open land, creating panjachon (informal settlements). These slums, often made of low-quality materials, popped up along the Han River and other areas. 

Guryong's Village entrance from the avenue

But as Seoul modernized, the government prioritized housing development, leading to the mass demolition of panjachon in the mid-1960s. High-rise apartment complexes replaced slums, and low-income families were pushed to the city’s edges exacerbating class segregation. At that time, the government controlled the creation of new slums by secured affordable housing by re-renting. However,  the 1988 Seoul Olympics accelerated this trend, with the government investing billions in infrastructure and evicting thousands without compensation. 

Many of these displaced families ended up in Guryong Village, which was previously used as farmland and ranch space. Currently, the village remained largely intact during this period and most of the current residents are elderly with a female majority. 

Socio-economic context of Guryong Village

The traditional Confusian values in Korea culture called (Hyo),  make this problem more difficult to solve. The Hyo values that focused on the economic support of grandparents by their family have been replaced. Today's values place more emphasis on individualism and the ability of elders not to burden the young. Thus, the resettlement process in Korea becomes more complicated when the elderly have nowhere to go and no relatives to contact, and the state is also unprepared to take care of this niche despite its steadily aging population.

Local economical activity in Guryong

In Guryong Village, neighbors have become family, forming tight-knit bonds that provide basic survival, emotional and practical support. For many elderly residents, their neighbor network is all they have. Abandoned by both the state and their own families, these community relationships have become their primary social safety net. 

This makes relocation particularly complicated. Unlike younger groups who might adapt more easily, Guryong's elderly face alarming risks—including depression, illness, and tragically high suicide rates—when separated from their support systems. In a society that's turned its back on them, the village itself has become the only family many residents know.

Small local church

“I briefly heard (about the redevelopment). They are sending us. To different places… but living alone. If I live somewhere they send me… I have people I know here. If my neighbors and friends get scattered me… how can I survive alone at such places?” A Guryong resident 

Despite the advanced relocation process for residents, at the time of the visit, considerable activity was observed. Street vendors, small grocery stores, large gardens for local consumption, and community spaces such as churches and the community center.

Living conditions in Guryong Village

In this neighborhood homes are primarly constructed from thin wood panels or vinyl sheeting, with basic services only installed in 2011. While Seoul City's Water Department has provided piping, the above-roof installation make them vulnerable to wind and snow. The absence of proper sewage management presents ongoing challenges for bot public health and environment. For that reason, the government installed mobile toilets for men and women at various points in the neighborhood.

A small strea running through the village ofter accumulates debris, increasing flood risks during heavy rains. Fire hazard also remain a concern due to homes' construction materials aging electrical wiring. Interestingly, despite these infrastructure limitations, most residents report being in good health and do not experience discomfort in their living conditions.

Due to the planned redevelopment, the city has restricted major home improvements, leaving the residents to make do temporary fixes. 

“You can repair stuff I guess. But I mean after 2000, you can’t even drive a nail in the wall, can’t fix your roof even when rain is leaking… since that year, we, residents, have been victims of basic human rights”. A Guryong resident

The redevelopment plan: Hope or heartbreak?

In 2010, the Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled a plan to redevelop Guryong Village, aiming to improve the quality of life and the residential environment. Moreover, the increasing petitions from high income families living nearby, promoted the redevelopment. 

Right side of the highway, Gangnam buildings. Left side, Guryong Village hidden by trees

The project includes building nearly 4000 public rental homes  in an area of 266.502 m2, an elementary school, medical facilities, and green spaces. Rent will be drastically reduced to ensure residents can resettle without finantial strain. Many of Guryong's residents have already moved into temporary rental housing following a fire that eventually displaced 26 households and left 43 victims.    

Winner of the design contest helded by the Seoul city and SH

At the beginning there weren't any signs of political engagement in the village due to their lack of knowledge regarding the redevelopment plan of their own village or indifference towards it. Nevertheless, community banners now hang at the entrance opposing the redevelopment and announcing community meetings to oppose the project.  

The redevelopment process hit its first major hurdle when a private developer made an enticing offer: 25-pyeong Gangnam apartments plus 100 million won compensation. This proposal split the community, with some residents supporting the private plan (which included 2,700 units, 1,200 reserved for villagers) while others favored public development. The Seoul government ultimately rejected the private proposal due to concerns about green space preservation and excessive privatization of profits, despite the developer's strong push.

To address these divisions, the city established a permanent consultation body to coordinate between stakeholders. Through ongoing open discussions, they aim to find solutions that balance resident needs with urban planning goals. While COVID-19 temporarily paused these consultations, the delays also stem from unresolved compensation issues, leadership changes at City Hall, and ongoing community negotiations.

The approved plan now includes:

• 1,250 rental units (enough to rehouse all 1,240 households)
• Job creation programs
• Medical/business facilities to promote self-sufficiency
• Measures to prevent new informal settlements from forming

As one 20-year resident noted, "Guryong isn't just housing - it's our life's meaning." The final plan aims to preserve this community identity while addressing practical needs, recognizing that successful redevelopment must honor both the physical and cultural dimensions of urban renewal.

What is the current situation? 

The phased demolition of Guryong Village will start in mid-2025. In a significant policy decision, the government will grant subscription rights to residents who can verify their occupancy prior to January 24, 1989 - an important concession given that most current occupants lack formal property licenses. However, concerns have emerged about potential abuses of this system, including reports of falsified residency certificates and illegal sales of housing cooperative slots.

• Nature integration: The design prioritizes connectivity with nearby Daemonsan and Guryongsan mountains
• Community infrastructure: The project will introduce parks, green spaces, medical facilities, research centers, and educational institutions
• Improved accessibility: Yangjae-daero, which previously isolated the area, will be redesigned to better connect with surrounding neighborhoods
• Essential services: Plans include a new elementary school and upgraded residential infrastructure

The slums in the cities are a symbol and an accumulation of the shortcomings of the city administrations, and at the same time, a sample of the resilience, cultural and spatial appropriation of its residents. Both in Seoul and Medellin, these spaces, despite their structural limitations, possess a powerful union and preservation of traditions. 

In its imperious need to show the world the product of its development, South Korea has decided to transform spaces with strong traditions from their roots, taking away the essence of the neighborhoods and giving them new “personalities” usually for short-term economic purposes. The renovation of these spaces is not a negative thing, but it is definitely important to maintain the essence and purpose of certain spaces and thus avoid the homogenization of a city. 

Personally it was a pleasure to get to know the last days of this neighborhood and to have achieved a small photographic memory 💖

Sources:

Kim, J. (2018). Informal Settlements and Rights in Conflict: An Inquiry case of Guryong Village Land Development in Seoul, South Korea.Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Song, J. (2012). Formation and conflict in the community of urban poor village - &dange community& and &right to the residence& in Guryong Village. 도시인문학연구, 4(2), 63-90

Sunwoo, J. (2017). Ageing Population and Slum Resettlement in Guryong Village, Seoul, South Korea.Columbia University.