Dongnam Sauna Nighttime Heat Shelter:
Jjokbangchon Residents Gather to Escape the Heat
Sauna Sees More Customers, Achieving Two Goals
Seoul City Operates Over 3,770 Cooling Shelters
On the afternoon of July 29, when the daytime high reached 35 degrees Celsius, it took only five minutes outside for beads of sweat to form in the intense heat. However, stepping into 'Dongnam Sauna,' a small business located inside Yeongdeungpo Market, a cool breeze greeted the face. The refreshing floor material and the air conditioning quickly relieved the heat. Ten residents from a nearby jjokbangchon (a neighborhood of tiny rooms), located about 20 minutes away, were also gathered inside the sauna, chatting and escaping the heat. They said, "We come here every day during the peak of summer."
Dongnam Sauna is both a 'Companion Bathhouse' and a 'Nighttime Heat Shelter,' operated in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to support jjokbangchon residents. Residents living in jjokbangchon, where shower and cooling facilities are inadequate, can use a coupon provided daily throughout July and August to bathe and even sleep here. Although it looks like an ordinary jjimjilbang (Korean sauna), for jjokbangchon residents it also serves as accommodation, so bedding is provided for them. Park (77), who has lived in jjokbangchon for 10 years, said, "When I come here, it's cool, I can wash, and I have someone to talk to," adding, "Thanks to this (Nighttime Heat Shelter), I can endure the summer."
Residents of small rooms are escaping the heat at Dongnam Sauna in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Youngwon
From the operator's perspective, running the Nighttime Heat Shelter has also been beneficial. Seo Hyunjung (65), who manages Dongnam Sauna, said, "At first, I was hesitant to apply for the program because I was worried there might be a stigma since it's different from a regular sauna, but now it's good for the sauna as well," adding, "Whether one person uses the air conditioner or several do, it has to be turned on anyway, but with jjokbangchon guests coming, it helps cover the cost, so I'm grateful."
While the residents using the Nighttime Heat Shelter expressed satisfaction, they also suggested support for those with limited mobility. Kim (53), a jjokbangchon resident, said, "Many people in our jjokbangchon are elderly, and those who have difficulty moving can't make it all the way here," suggesting, "It would be nice if helpers or assistants could be provided so those people can come here and rest."
In addition to the Nighttime Heat Shelter (Companion Bathhouse), the Seoul Metropolitan Government is operating about 3,770 heat shelters during this record-breaking heatwave. Public facilities such as district offices, libraries, and general welfare centers, which are open to all citizens, as well as everyday facilities like supermarkets, convenience stores, and shopping malls, are also being utilized as heat shelters.
Starting from August 1, all 25 district office buildings will open as heat shelters. The presence of public officials on-site allows for stable operation. District office heat shelters are generally open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and operating hours will be extended flexibly during heatwave advisories. There are also 'customized shelters' like the Nighttime Heat Shelter for jjokbangchon residents. These include mobile worker shelters, established so that laborers who mainly work outdoors can briefly escape the heat during breaks. There are currently 21 mobile worker shelters operating throughout Seoul.
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