Buk-gu District in Gwangju Supports Evacuation for Residents of Homes at Risk of Collapse Near Metro Line 2

Purchased Rental Housing Provided for Residents of D and E Grade Homes

Temporary housing will be provided to residents who had been living in homes near the construction area of Gwangju Metro Line 2, where concerns about possible building collapse have been raised. Buk-gu District in Gwangju has signed an emergency housing support agreement with Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to protect residents of homes that received D or E safety ratings due to the impact of the metro construction. The district is supporting evacuation efforts by utilizing LH’s purchased rental apartments in the Junghung-dong and Sinan-dong areas.

On the morning of October 16, a "Caution: Passage" sign was installed at the entrance of a residential area in Junghung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. The sign warns of the risk of building collapse. Photo by Song Bohyun

According to Buk-gu District on December 22, the district signed an "Emergency Housing Support Agreement for Temporary Evacuees" with the Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Headquarters of Korea Land and Housing Corporation on December 19. This agreement is a measure to secure the safety of residents living in homes near the construction section of Metro Line 2, where the risk of collapse has been raised.

Previously, after a series of building damages following the construction of Metro Line 2, the city of Gwangju conducted an emergency detailed safety inspection of the affected section from July 21 to September 18. As a result of the inspection, 11 out of 13 buildings received an E grade (poor), and 2 buildings received a D grade (inadequate).

Based on these inspection results, Buk-gu District issued an emergency evacuation order for 13 houses near the construction section on October 2. In this area, incidents such as wall collapses and cracks in exterior walls have occurred, and in April, six residents were temporarily evacuated.

Since then, Buk-gu District has continued discussions with LH to secure a more stable living environment, culminating in the signing of the agreement on December 19.

Under the agreement, four LH purchased rental villa buildings, totaling 19 units in the Junghung-dong and Sinan-dong areas, will be provided as emergency housing for residents subject to evacuation orders. The initial residence period is six months, with the possibility of extension up to two years.

The rental deposit will be waived. LH will reduce the monthly rent by 50 percent, and Buk-gu District will cover the remaining 50 percent. The district’s share will be funded by Gwangju City’s disaster relief fund.

Alongside this emergency housing support, Buk-gu District plans to strengthen monitoring of buildings at risk of collapse and provide administrative support, including guidance for housing applications.

Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu District, stated, "The lives and safety of our residents must take precedence over any policy," adding, "This agreement is a measure to provide a stable living environment for residents who have been living in anxiety." He further said, "We will continue to cooperate with Gwangju City and related agencies to help residents return to their daily lives as soon as possible."