March 29th, 2026 - Squatters in Seoul’s Wealthiest District Say They Have Nowhere Left to Go

In the shadow of luxury high-rises in Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district, a very different reality exists. In Guryong Village, an informal settlement surrounded by some of the most expensive real estate in South Korea, elderly residents like Lee Chang-wol continue to live in cramped, fragile huts without basic amenities.

For decades, residents have built a community in conditions that contrast sharply with the wealth around them. Many lack proper plumbing, heating, or stable electricity, relying instead on makeshift systems they created themselves. Despite these hardships, the village has remained home to thousands who have nowhere else to go.

Now, the Seoul government is pushing forward with plans to redevelop the land, offering small compensation payments and relocation options. While some residents have accepted and moved out, many others argue that the offers are far too low to afford housing in the same area and refuse to leave.

The conflict highlights a deeper issue: South Korea’s growing wealth gap and housing crisis. As property prices in Gangnam soar, homeownership has become increasingly out of reach for lower-income citizens, leaving communities like Guryong caught between redevelopment and displacement.

For residents who have lived there for decades, the village represents more than just shelter as it is their history, their community, and their last chance at stability. As redevelopment plans move forward, the future of Guryong Village remains uncertain, reflecting the broader struggle between rapid economic growth and those left behind.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Cadge (verb, KAJ) - To cadge something is to persuade someone to give it to you for free. Cadge can also mean “to take, use, or borrow (something) without acknowledgment.”

Example: I don’t know how, but my brother always manages to cadge an extra scoop of ice cream on his sundaes.

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