In early July, members of the International WeLoveU Foundation (hereinafter referred to as WeLoveU) visited areas around Seoul Station and Namdaemun, where substandard housing is densely concentrated.
Even in the early morning, the air inside the narrow alleys was already stifling. Inside the cramped rooms, where ventilation and insulation were lacking, damp air lingered and the outside heat seeped in.
Many of these rooms are barely large enough for one person to lie down, crowded with worn furniture, clothes, and daily necessities bearing the marks of age. Most of the residents are middle-aged or elderly, and many live alone. With the intensifying heat and cold brought on by the climate crisis, life here is leaving body and mind exhausted.
Age Distribution of Residents
2.2%
20ￚ39 years
57%
40ￚ64 years
40.8%
65 years and above
Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare
To improve the housing environment of climate-vulnerable citizens and revitalize the city, Seoul Municipality has been carrying out various redevelopment and reconstruction projects. The Namdaemun-ro 5-ga area near Seoul Station was also designated as a redevelopment district (Yangdong Districts 11 and 12).
To ease the economic burden on residents, the Municipality decided to building public rental apartments nearby first, relocate the residents, and then proceed with redevelopment.
Housing Relocation
Settlement Support
Improved Living Stability and Climate Resilience
The new public rental apartments for 182 households were equipped with heating and cooling systems,
along with improved insulation and ventilation system, to help residents withstand scorching summers and harsh winters.
Effects of Housing Settlement Supportfor Climate-Vulnerable Households
Improved Living Environment:
Living convenience has improved and sense of stability has been enhanced.
Strengthened Climate Resilience:
Vulnerability to extreme heat and cold has been reduced, resulting in fewer health risks and lower medical expenses.
Promoted Social Stability and Self-Reliance:
Community support and improved access to infrastructure help reduce social isolation, promote self-reliance, and encourage greater community participation.
Settlement Support for Climate-Vulnerable Households
Storage Cabinets for 182 Households
In small rooms, when belongings are piled up, the flow of air is blocked, making the heat and cold even harder to bear. Storage cabinets serve as a “breath of space,” helping free up narrow living areas. To ensure residents could settle comfortably into their new homes, WeLoveU partnered with Seoul Municipality to provide customized storage cabinets for all 182 households.
🔨 Installation of Storage Cabinets 🔨
August 27–29, 2025
From August 27 to 29—just about two weeks before residents moved in —storage cabinets were installed in every unit of the new public rental apartments. WeLoveU members also joined in, supporting the residents’ relocation and settlement.
🤝 Handover Ceremony for Storage Cabinets 🤝
August 28, 2025
On August 28, a handover ceremony was held at Seoul City Hall to mark the provision of storage cabinets for 182 households. The event was attended by WeLoveU’s Board Chairman and Secretary-General, Seoul’s Welfare Planning Director, and the Director of the Namdaemun Counseling Center. They celebrated that residents could now look forward to a more comfortable environment.
Kim Joong-rak, WeLoveU Board Chairman, said, “As the climate crisis worsens, the difficulties faced by vulnerable people grow even greater. We will continue to provide material, emotional, and social support so that marginalized neighbors can live safely in the face of global challenges.”
Kim Jae-jin, Seoul Municipality’s Welfare Planning Director, “We will continue our efforts to improve housing conditions for vulnerable groups.” Meanwhile, Park Jong-tae, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Namdaemun Counseling Center, welcomed the initiative, saying, “A tidy storage space will be a great help for residents who are about to move in.”
A New Home, a Hopeful Tomorrow
On September 10, the area surrounding the new public rental apartments was filled with activity. WeLoveU members came together to assist neighbors with their relocation—carrying boxes, arranging belongings, and offering warm wishes for a fresh start in their new homes.
Volunteers also explained how to use appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines, intercoms, and digital door locks. Moved by their support, one elderly resident said, “I wonder if I really deserve to live in such a nice home. Now I can spend summers cool and winters warm.” Recalling her late husband, who had endured years of hardship, she wiped away tears and added, “Thanks to your help, I will hold on to hope and live happily.”
Seoul Municipality officials visited the site as well, thanking the volunteers for their efforts and expressing support for the residents’ smooth settlement.
Choi Jin-hyung, a team leader at the Namdaemun Counseling Center, Said to the volunteers, “Once the relocation of residents is complete, this area will be permanently closed. You are taking part in both the end and the beginning of Namdaemun’s community.”
WeLoveU members reflected on the moment, taking in the sight of Namdaemun’s shanty housing soon to vanish into history. Many said they felt rewarded to share in both its closing chapter and its new beginning.
For residents who had endured years of hardship in sweltering heat and bitter cold, the new homes—with proper insulation, heating, and cooling —promise not only shelter, but also comfort and dignity. WeLoveU will continue to carry out diverse projects worldwide to help communities adapt to the climate crisis.
WeLoveU hopes that these new homeswill brighten the future of the residents. ❤
