Jjokbang Part 2: What Keeps This System Alive and How Change Begins

Jjokbangs reveal an overlooked side of urban life in Korea, shaped by economic hardship, aging, and limited housing options. In Part 1, we explored what jjokbangs are and the everyday realities inside them. Part 2 turns to a new question: What factors sustain jjokbangs today, and how efforts toward change are unfolding? We look at the roles of landlords, residents, and public policy, along with the challenges that arise where private housing and public responsibility meet. From expanding public rental housing to neighborhood-level support, this episode follows the policies, debates, and daily work behind improving housing stability and those contributing to gradual change.

Guests: Ahyoung Song, Ik-hyung Jeon, Jjokbang residents
Producer / Editor: Jeehyun Ko
Assistant Editor: Xinpei Luo, Fountine Zhao
Music: “Expression” by Pold, Mikhail Smusev

Video & Documentary Sources:
   • [full] 동자동 쪽방촌, 4년의 희망고문 | 추적60분 1404회 KBS...  
   • [풀영상] KBS 추적60분_2019 쪽방촌 리포트 빈곤 비즈니스_190712  
   • 온수와 난방조차 사치, 몸을 편히 누일 수도 없는 1평 쪽방촌이 사실은 부자...  
   • 반지하, 쪽방, 고시원에 거주하신다면 👉 '23년 서울형 주거취약계층 주거상...  

References:
Seoul Station jjokbang counseling center (서울역 쪽방상담소) http://www.ssjbc5119.org/
OECD Affordable Housing Database https://www.oecd.org/en/data/datasets...
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport https://www.index.go.kr/unity/potal/i...
Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission https://www.acrc.go.kr/board.es?mid=a...