Jjokbangs reveal an overlooked side of urban life in Korea, shaped by economic hardship, aging, and limited housing options. In Part 1, we explored what jjokbangs are and the everyday realities inside them. Part 2 turns to a new question: What factors sustain jjokbangs today, and how efforts toward change are unfolding? We look at the roles of landlords, residents, and public policy, along with the challenges that arise where private housing and public responsibility meet. From expanding public rental housing to neighborhood-level support, this episode follows the policies, debates, and daily work behind improving housing stability and those contributing to gradual change.

Guests: Ahyoung Song, Ik-hyung Jeon, Jjokbang residents

Producer / Editor: Jeehyun Ko

Assistant Editor: Xinpei Luo, Fountine Zhao

Music: “Expression” by Pold, Mikhail Smusev

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Video & Documentary Sources:

https://youtu.be/ro_JdKdyy9Y?si=V_W5TbZKT6us13hC

https://youtu.be/F80R8O3Cb7A?si=GTXESlHUGhWCDEJm

https://youtu.be/c3x6V6lhem0?si=t3MUhhNViWL0D7XQ

https://youtu.be/vO1XG0I1BZQ?si=eoaomxC0Ioxf-O5F

 

References:

Seoul Station jjokbang counseling center (서울역 쪽방상담소) http://www.ssjbc5119.org/

OECD Affordable Housing Database  https://www.oecd.org/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housing-database.html

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport https://www.index.go.kr/unity/potal/indicator/IndexInfo.do?cdNo=260&clasCd=12&idxCd=H0017&upCd=8

Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission https://www.acrc.go.kr/board.es?mid=a10402010000&bid=4A&tag=&act=view&list_no=8912&nPage=

 

Jeehyun Ko
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