[Report] "Let's Meet More Often" Walking Together with Ssokbangchon Residents in the 'Donghaeng Project'

Donghaeng Restaurant and Donghaeng Bathhouse Resident Satisfaction at 96%
Benefits Both Ssokbang Residents and Alleyway Businesses

On the afternoon of the 12th, Lee Byung-hoon (56), whom we met at the restaurant 'Jongnojip' located in Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "I used to cook rice using a gas burner in my room, but these days I come to the restaurant once a day to have my meals," adding, "It's nice to eat carefully prepared food and also to have conversations with the restaurant staff, so I think this is much better now."

This place is one of the 'Donghaeng Restaurants' designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to support one meal a day (8,000 won) for residents of the jjokbangchon (small rooms village). Park Myung-sook (65), the owner of Jongnojip who has been participating in the Donghaeng Restaurant program since August 2022, said, "I think it is a very meaningful policy for those in need," and added, "I feel proud when I see the regular customers' expressions gradually improving."

The Donghaeng Restaurant, Donghaeng Bathhouse, and Donghaeng Store (On-gi Warehouse), operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government for marginalized residents, are showing high satisfaction levels. Seoul plans to expand the projects currently conducted in the five major jjokbangchon areas in Seoul (Changsin-dong, Donui-dong, Namdaemunro 5-ga, Dongja-dong, Yeongdeungpo-dong).

The scene at Donghaeng Store (Ongi Warehouse) in Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th. Even before the business opened, employees and residents were busy checking the items.
[Photo by Seongah Shim]

A bathhouse located in Nakwon-dong is also attracting attention as a model of coexistence between jjokbang residents and the local commercial district, known as the Donghaeng Bathhouse. The Donghaeng Bathhouse project, which started in March last year with sponsorship from Hanmi Pharmaceutical, provides residents with two bath tickets per month (four tickets in January-February and July-August). Last year, 22,777 jjokbang residents used the eight Donghaeng Bathhouses, averaging 1,898 users per month. A survey conducted on 1,332 of these users showed a satisfaction rate of 96.1%. Min Kyung-ha (59), a resident who visited the bathhouse, expressed satisfaction, saying, "People who do not have proper shower facilities at home find it difficult to wash frequently. I am very happy that the Donghaeng Bathhouse allows me to wash warmly."

The Donghaeng Restaurant, which has been operating since August 2022, earlier than the bathhouse, is also becoming a sanctuary for residents. The Donghaeng Restaurant project supports jjokbangchon residents to have one meal a day (8,000 won) at selected restaurants. Last year, the Donghaeng Restaurant provided a total of 642,080 meals to jjokbangchon residents, with an average of 1,759 users per day (based on one meal per day). A survey of 1,710 Donghaeng Restaurant users showed that 96% expressed satisfaction. The satisfaction level of the restaurant owners participating in the project was also high, scoring 4.53 out of 5. The most cited reason, at 45.5%, was 'a sense of fulfillment and joy in helping,' surpassing 'increased sales' (43.6%).

The Donghaeng Store (On-gi Warehouse), a daily necessities sharing store where residents can purchase sponsored goods according to their needs using points granted to them, is also popular. On-gi Warehouse, operated with support from companies and individuals such as Seven Eleven, Toss Bank, and No Brand, opened its first branch in Dongja-dong, Yongsan-gu in August last year, and the second branch in Donui-dong, Jongno-gu in November. By December last year, 13,841 residents had used the two locations, with about 200 people visiting On-gi Warehouse daily.

Bathhouse use coupons provided to residents of the jjokbangchon at the Donghaeng Bathhouse Counseling Center in Donui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Residents receive two coupons each month, and the usage period is one month.
[Photo by Seongah Sim]

Since the implementation of these Donghaeng projects, the nearby alley commercial districts around the jjokbangchon have also regained vitality. Jin Mo (57), the owner of a bathhouse participating in the Donghaeng Bathhouse project, explained, "At first, I was worried that it might inconvenience other customers, but I joined because it is a good cause," adding, "Since COVID-19, many bathhouses have closed and it has become a declining industry, but thanks to this project, I have secured regular customers." Park, the owner of Jongnojip restaurant, also said, "Since the coupons must be used once a day, the number of customers naturally increased."

With positive responses continuing between residents and business owners, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to further expand the projects this year. To maximize the positive effects, the city plans to increase the number of Donghaeng Restaurants and Donghaeng Bathhouses and improve the usage methods. The number of Donghaeng Restaurants will increase from 43 to 49 to broaden the choice of restaurants and menus, and monitoring of each restaurant will be strengthened to improve service quality such as hygiene and friendliness.

The Donghaeng Bathhouses will enhance user convenience and introduce electronic payment methods similar to the Donghaeng Restaurants. Additionally, considering that during the use of Donghaeng Restaurants and Bathhouses, jjokbang residents naturally form friendships by dining together with nearby residents, and a mutual care relationship is formed where residents voluntarily deliver food to those with mobility difficulties, this will be developed into a resident network formation project.

A Seoul city official emphasized, "There were concerns that increasing benefits for jjokbang residents might cause them to stay there permanently, but the ultimate goal of the project is to sustainably help those in need and enable them to become self-sufficient and independent," adding, "We will ensure that the jjokbangchon support project produces good results and establishes itself as a model project that can spread to the local community."