[Report] "Feels Like I Can Survive Because It Blocks the Wind" Homeless Tents Appear at Seoul Station Amid Cold Wave

Orange Tents Installed in Plaza Near Seoul Station to Block Cold Wave
"Still Cold but Glad to Shelter from Wind"
Civilians Say "Plaza Looks Cleaner with Tents"

On the afternoon of the 29th, homeless people are sheltering from the cold inside tents at Seoul Station Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seulgi Yoon seul97@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] "I'm just glad I can at least avoid the wind."

On the afternoon of the 29th, when the morning temperature dropped below minus 10 degrees Celsius and a biting cold wind blew strongly, Mr. Ahn (50), whom we met near Seoul Station Plaza, said this from inside his tent. Behind Mr. Ahn, belongings necessary for living as a homeless person were visible.

Recently, around Exit 2 of the Gyeongui-Jungang Line Seoul Station and Exit 2 of Line 1 Seoul Station, as many as 35 orange tents have been set up. A church donated them to help homeless people get through the winter, and the tents had the users' names written in black pen.

Although it is uncertain when the tents will be removed after winter, the homeless people we met that day were able to avoid the cold wave and were also guaranteed privacy that anyone can enjoy. Some homeless people wrapped aluminum foil or plastic around the tents to block the wind from penetrating inside.

Inside a homeless person's tent at Seoul Station Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th. Photo by Yoon Seul-gi seul97@asiae.co.kr

Mr. Ahn, who said he was glad to avoid the biting wind, was a respectable worker before living on the streets. However, he lost his job due to a serious accident and is now living on the streets.

He said, "I was working at a shellfish farm when I severely injured my hip joint and couldn't return to work. I have no family and nowhere to go, so I ended up here." He added, "I've been living near Seoul Station for about a month. The sudden cold has made life very difficult."

He continued, "Honestly, having a tent doesn't mean things have gotten tremendously better; it's just better than having nothing. I tried living inside the tent for a few days, but it was so cold that I couldn't fall into a deep sleep. There's construction nearby, so I'm stressed all day from the noise." Mr. Ahn added, "Still, having my belongings inside the tent and being able to avoid the wind has made things somewhat better."

Citizens' reactions to the tents for homeless people varied. Mr. A (65), who was passing through the plaza, said, "At least it's fortunate that there are tents." Mr. A added, "The cold you experience physically is scarier than the invisible fear of COVID-19, so it's a relief to have tents to block the wind. Every time I come to Seoul Station, I felt sorry for the homeless people lying down with just a cardboard box, so this is better than before the tents were installed."

Mr. B, in his 60s, who works in self-support labor at the Seoul Metropolitan City Restart Hope Support Center near Seoul Station, also showed a positive response to the tent installation. Mr. B said, "Before, homeless people piled up clothes and belongings in front of the center. Now, since they put all their belongings inside the tents, it looks much better and cleaner."

On the afternoon of the 29th, homeless people in Seoul Station Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul, are sheltering from the cold inside tents. Photo by Yoon Seul-gi seul97@asiae.co.kr

However, there were opinions that tents alone are not enough for homeless people to endure the harsh winter. Mr. Kim, a 30-something office worker, said, "The tents don't have heating facilities, so they seem insufficient for surviving winter. Homeless people dying from cold happens every year, and with COVID-19 overlapping, it seems homeless people have even fewer places to go. More government support is needed."

Deaths of homeless people from cold during winter occur every year. On the 30th of last month, when temperatures suddenly dropped below freezing, a homeless man in his 60s, Mr. C, was found dead near Dorimcheon in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. A nearby community center worker had recommended that Mr. C enter a facility, but he refused out of fear of contracting COVID-19 there.

Meanwhile, the government announced plans to strengthen protection for homeless people to alleviate their difficulties from the double hardship of COVID-19 and winter cold. They plan to establish on-site medical centers in major homeless concentration areas and build regional cooperation systems. They will also prioritize supplying public rental housing reflecting the housing needs of homeless people. Additionally, they plan to expand models that provide independent housing for homeless people with mental illnesses.

On the 24th, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum held the 26th Social Security Committee meeting and finalized the "2nd Comprehensive Plan for Welfare and Self-Reliance Support for Homeless People," emphasizing local governments' responsibility to protect homeless people by expanding medical, housing, and welfare service support.

Prime Minister Kim said, "Low-income groups, elderly living alone, and homeless people suffer greater shocks whenever social and economic crises occur. At times like these, we will prioritize support projects that can be implemented even under difficult conditions."