A significant fire tore through one of Seoul's last-remaining shanty towns on Friday, engulfing makeshift homes and forcing dozens of residents to evacuate their properties.
Firefighters Battle Blaze for Over Six Hours
The fire broke out in the hillside Guryong village, located in the affluent Gangnam district of southern Seoul. More than 1,200 emergency personnel, including firefighters and police officers, were deployed to tackle the intense blaze. According to fire officials, it took approximately six and a half hours to bring the majority of the flames under control.
Local fire officer Jeong Gwang-hun provided an update during a televised briefing, confirming that rescue teams were meticulously searching every burnt-out dwelling for potential victims. No casualties have been reported immediately following the incident. The exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation by authorities.
A Vulnerable Community Amidst Wealth
Guryong village is a stark anomaly, situated directly adjacent to some of Seoul's most exclusive neighbourhoods, characterised by luxury high-rise apartments and upscale shopping districts. This proximity has long made it a potent symbol of South Korea's severe income disparities.
The community's vulnerability to fires is well-documented. Observers note that the tightly packed homes, often constructed from highly combustible materials, have led to occasional outbreaks over the years. The village's very structure presents a persistent fire hazard.
A Legacy of 1980s Evictions
The origins of Guryong village trace back to the 1980s. It was formed as an informal settlement for people who were displaced from their original homes during extensive urban clearance and redevelopment projects ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
Hundreds of thousands of residents from slums and low-income areas across the city were removed during this period. The then military-backed government viewed this mass relocation as a crucial step in beautifying Seoul for the influx of international visitors attending the global sporting event.
