First Wildfire Victims Move into 18 Modular Homes in Andong, Each 30m² and Equipped with Refrigerator and Washing Machine

On April 20, Gyeongbuk Province announced that it had begun moving the first residents into 18 units of Gyeongbuk-style modular housing, built on the grounds of the Kwon Jeongsaeng Children's Literature Hall in Mangho-ri, Iljik-myeon, Andong City, to provide swift housing stability for disaster victims affected by wildfires.

On April 18, Kogi Dong, Acting Minister of the Interior and Safety, Kim Hakhong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, Kwon Kichang, Mayor of Andong, and other officials attended the move-in ceremony. They encouraged the disaster victims, checked for any inconveniences such as daily necessities and home appliances, and listened to their suggestions.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Deputy Minister Kogi Dong (left) and Kim Hakhong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province (second from left), are discussing modular housing plans for disaster victims to move into.

The Gyeongbuk-style modular housing expands on the traditional concept of temporary housing for disaster victims, offering flexibility in stacking multiple units or changing shapes, ensuring permanent-level durability, and enabling easy reuse. As a new concept in temporary housing for disaster victims, a total of 211 units will be supplied: 18 in Andong, 42 in Uiseong, 20 in Cheongsong, 41 in Yeongyang, and 90 in Yeongdeok.

The first modular housing unit in Iljik-myeon, Andong, is a two-story building with each unit measuring approximately 30 square meters (about 9 pyeong, overlapping structure). Each unit consists of an entrance, bathroom, bedroom, and balcony. Inside, there is a sink, heating and cooling system, and induction stove, while relief supplies such as a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, and rice cooker are provided.

Kogi Dong, Acting Minister of the Interior and Safety, stated, "It is not easy for elderly residents to stay in temporary shelters for long periods. By proactively providing modular housing, Gyeongbuk Province enabled swift move-in, which has helped to ease some of the concerns for disaster victims. As a new model for temporary housing, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is also paying special attention to this initiative."

Resident A, a disaster victim who previously lived in Iljik-myeon, said, "My home and all my belongings were destroyed by fire, and I am suffering serious aftereffects and have difficulty moving. I am grateful to Gyeongbuk Province and Andong City for helping me move in quickly. Many other disaster victims in the area are also struggling physically and emotionally. Please continue to show interest and provide support until the village recovers."

Kim Hakhong, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, said, "We will continue to monitor the Gyeongbuk-style modular housing to ensure it remains a safe and comfortable home for wildfire victims until their permanent housing is restored. After the temporary housing period, we plan to repurpose the units as village community facilities, seasonal worker accommodations, rural guesthouses, or rapidly deploy them for relief in future disasters, thereby establishing a virtuous cycle system and reorganizing the temporary housing response system for disaster victims."