Housing and Residential Environment in Korea

Abstract

One of the most pressing of housing problems in Korea is undoubtedly the absolute shortage of housing stock. The root of the problem goes back to the Korean war: a large number of dwellings were destroyed, and yet over a few million migrants from the north had to be housed at the same time. More recently, rapid urbanization, nuclear family formation and increase in household income have been largely responsible for worsening such a shortage. This paper is intended to describe and discuss the following aspects of Korean housing; 1. housing problems in Korea and the context where the problems arosc 2. the ways the housing problems have been dealt with over the last fifteen years, and 3. a few suggestive directions in order to guide future housing policies and programs. The main theme of this paper is the relationship between the evolutions of the society and housing. The problems of housing are viewed in the context of socio-economic and physical changes as well as the evolution of the value system of different social groups. This paper is intended to describe and discuss the following aspects of Korean housing; 1. housing problems in Korea and the context where the problems arosc 2. the ways the housing problems have been dealt with over the last fifteen years, and 3. a few suggestive directions in order to guide future housing policies and programs. The main theme of this paper is the relationship between the evolutions of the society and housing. The problems of housing are viewed in the context of socio-economic and physical changes as well as the evolution of the value system of different social groups.