Seoul Economic Daily and Yonhap reported that Seoul and the Seoul Housing & Urban Development Corporation (SH) secured 96 rentals for Guryong evacuees; The Korea Herald reported residents want to buy apartments in the redevelopment.
The units are for stays of up to six months. Assistance can begin only after Gangnam District finalizes a list of eligible residents and submits an application, the reports said.
Fire authorities said the blaze began in a makeshift building in Zone 2 on Oct. 27 and was extinguished early Oct. 28, after 12 hours and 49 minutes. One woman suffered minor leg injuries. Korea JoongAng Daily initially reported that 107 people in 77 households were affected; later housing coverage counted 127 people in 91 households. The reports did not explain the difference.
The Korea Herald reported Wednesday that 38 people from 29 households were at a shelter in Gaepo Middle School and 50 people from 24 households were at Guryong Middle School. Other residents were staying with acquaintances or in lodging arranged by the district. The newspaper also reported that residents sought the chance to buy apartments. Residents' group leader Lee Kang-il told the paper they might not be able to return after the site is cleared.
Seoul's 2012 announcement described Guryong as an unauthorized community that emerged as urban development displaced people. The city said its public-led project aimed to keep former residents in the area, with reduced rents and deposits and temporary housing during construction.
An SH report to the Seoul Metropolitan Council lists 3,739 homes: 1,107 units for integrated public rentals, 1,691 for long-term jeonse rentals, 219 for public sale and 722 for private sale. It does not specify a purchase right for current residents. SH had separately secured 213 rental units for residents relocating during redevelopment, with deposits waived and rent reduced according to income.
Seoul set 2027 as the target for construction to begin and 2031 for completion of two blocks with 2,120 units. The city said later approvals could change the plan. SBS reported that police, fire authorities and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation began a joint inspection on Oct. 28; the fire's cause had not been established as the inspection began. Gangnam District's eligibility list and application are the steps required before evacuees can receive the emergency housing.
