[Report] "The Streets Are More Comfortable Than Shelters" Homeless Endure Severe Cold with Their Whole Bodies

"No Shelter from the Cold" Homeless People Endure Harsh Winter
"Direct Support Needed" Welfare Facilities Appeal for Help

On the morning of the 18th, a homeless person is shivering from the cold and curling up tightly at Seoul Station Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Young-eun youngeun928@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporters Heo Midam and Kim Yeongeun] "How to endure the cold? There is no such thing. You just endure it.", "This winter feels especially colder than other years."

On the morning of the 18th at Seoul Station Plaza, Mr. Kim (67) was trembling all over in the cold while being hit by sleet. Mr. Kim, who has been homeless for eight years now, expressed his despair, saying, "This winter seems to have a lot of snow and is unusually cold," and "On days when it snows a lot, I don't know where to go."

When asked why he does not enter welfare facilities such as homeless shelters, he said weakly, "Even if I try to go to a facility, there are many restrictions due to COVID-19. We have to find a way to survive on our own," adding, "I've been living on the streets for quite a while, but this winter is especially colder and harder. At night, I wander around looking for less cold places."

Near Seoul Station that day, it was easy to find homeless people shivering in the cold wearing only shabby coats. They curled their bodies tightly and repeatedly stomped their feet to keep warm, and some were seen blowing on their hands.

One homeless person wore a hood pulled tightly over his jumper and wrapped a scarf around his neck up to his nose, but his cheeks and ears quickly turned red from the biting cold.

On the morning of the 18th, homeless people are sleeping under sleeping bags at Seoul Station Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Young-eun youngeun928@asiae.co.kr

The cold hits socially vulnerable groups such as the homeless even harder. Homeless people exposed unprotected to the cold wave are at high risk of hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses. In fact, from early December last year, the number of cold-related illness patients recorded weekly between 20 and 40 increased more than threefold to 130 from January 3 to 9 this year. Among them, 68.8% were unemployed, homeless, or unidentified individuals.

Cases of homeless people losing their lives due to the cold wave continue. On the 14th of last month, a homeless man in his 50s was found dead in front of a convenience store in Naedeok-dong, Cheongju City, Chungbuk Province, and on the 13th, another homeless man in his 50s was found dead in an open space under a bridge in Yuchon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju City. It is reported that they died of hypothermia while sleeping in the cold weather.

Because of this, homeless people repeatedly appealed for help from welfare facilities, saying, "I am afraid to endure the harsh cold alone." Another homeless person, Mr. Lee (63), who has difficulty moving, complained, "I can't even go to free meal centers because I injured my waist and legs," adding, "People like me who have physical difficulties have no way to endure the cold unless someone helps." He continued, "This year seems to be the coldest," and said, "Even though I have lived on the streets all my life, enduring winter is always hard."

Mr. Kim (64), who has lived on the streets for decades, also expressed his difficulties. He said, "The facility is right in front of me, but I don't go. The staff and managers treat us more harshly because of the COVID situation," raising his voice, "We are more uncomfortable because the staff are more wary of us due to COVID than we are afraid of catching it ourselves. Sometimes the street feels more comfortable."

He added, "These days, maybe because of COVID, the procedures to enter facilities have become more complicated, so homeless people have all come outside this winter," and sighed, saying, "We sleep on the streets even in minus 20-degree cold. Taking a warm shower is one of our small wishes."

On the morning of the 18th, a homeless person is sleeping using a thin sheet of paper as a blanket at Seoul Station Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

In fact, some welfare facilities for the homeless have restrictions due to COVID-19. The Hope Support Center near Seoul Station originally had no limit on the number of entrants, but after a homeless person tested positive for COVID-19 on the 20th of last month, only the first 15 people were allowed entry during the day. The number of people allowed to sleep there was also reduced from 49 to 35. As a result, homeless people face certain restrictions in using welfare facilities.

Regarding this, a Seoul city official said, "Currently, there is ample sleeping space prepared for homeless people at centers and facilities," but added, "However, homeless people do not want to come into the centers. Even when persuaded, they do not voluntarily enter, which is worrying."

Meanwhile, health authorities have stated they will make efforts for socially vulnerable groups such as the homeless. Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "Elderly living alone, homeless people, and those with chronic illnesses such as dementia are especially vulnerable to cold waves, so we ask for special attention from local governments, neighbors, and families," and added, "We will continue to cooperate with related ministries and local governments to prevent cold-related illnesses among vulnerable groups."