Gentrification in South Korea

Gentrification in South Korea

Introduction

Gentrification in South Korea has been a significant issue since the 1980s, with the phenomenon becoming more widespread during the 2000s. This socio-spatial change involves the unique culture and distinctiveness of an area being transformed, often leading to the displacement of original residents and businesses due to rising rents. This article will explore the topic of gentrification in South Korea, focusing on the subtopics of commercial gentrification and the effects on local communities.

Definition of Gentrification

Gentrification is a process of urban redevelopment that often leads to the displacement of original residents and businesses, replacing them with higher-income individuals and businesses. In South Korea, this process is closely linked to urban redevelopment, as the two are directly connected.

Retail/Commercial Gentrification in Seoul

Commercial gentrification in Seoul is a significant aspect of the broader gentrification process in South Korea. This subtype of gentrification involves the transformation of residential areas into commercial spaces, often leading to the displacement of original residents and small businesses. For example, in Hannam, Seoul, the arrival of new restaurants, boutique shops, and cultural spaces changed the image of the area and attracted more people, ultimately leading to the displacement of many small craft shops that had opened in the early 2010s.

Resisting Gentrification

As gentrification has become a more pressing issue in South Korea, local and central governments have attempted to address the problem through regulations and ordinances. Tenants have also resisted urban redevelopment and have made progress in improving their rights and opposing the strong property rights of landlords. For instance, Takeout Drawing, a café and gallery in Hannam, Seoul, became a symbolic resistance against commercial gentrification, emphasizing that its struggle was not a private one but a social problem.

Conclusion

Gentrification in South Korea is a complex process that involves the transformation of unique cultural areas, often displacing original residents and businesses due to rising rents. Commercial gentrification, as seen in areas like Seoul, is a significant subtype of this process, leading to the displacement of small businesses and the arrival of higher-income individuals and businesses. Despite the challenges, local and central governments, as well as tenants and commercial tenants, have been working to address the issue and find solutions to prevent further displacement and inequality.