With subzero temperatures just around the corner... Guryong Village fire victims: “Sleeping in cars, with no clothes to wear”

[Financial News]“I have to sleep in the car parked in the apartment’s underground garage again today. What can I do if it gets cold? I guess I’ll just have to see what happens, whether I live or die.”When asked about his concerns over the approaching subzero cold, Jang Yun-hong, 69, spoke with resignation when met in Guryong Village, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd. Jang, who has lived in Guryong Village for about 28 years, since 1998, lost his home in the recent fire and is now living in his vehicle. He works as a security guard at an apartment building in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu. He slept in the security office the previous night and plans to spend the night in his own truck, parked in the apartment’s underground garage.
With Seoul’s low temperature forecast to fall to minus 1 degree Celsius on the 7th, the worries of those displaced by the Guryong Village fire are mounting. Residents who lost their homes and household belongings in the fire lack even blankets and winter clothing to protect themselves from the cold. Since the temporary shelters closed, residents have dispersed to lodging facilities and the homes of relatives and friends; some are exposed to the cold without protection, sleeping in their vehicles.
“I don’t have a place to live, so where would I go to sleep even if I had a blanket?” Jang said. “I joked to my friends that I could sleep in a doghouse if I had to, but I can’t actually do that.” He added, “I have to sleep in my car tonight, and I’m worried to hear that the weather is going to get colder too,” expressing his sense of helplessness.
Other residents are also struggling to prepare for winter after the sudden fire. Jeong Jae-sik, 65, who has lived in Guryong Village for about 45 years, said, “Everyone ran out wearing the clothes they had on, and we’re still wearing those same clothes now. When it’s cold, all we can do is shiver.” He said that losing their homes and household goods all at once left them unable even to prepare for the cold that is about to set in.
Weariness over repeated fires and life in temporary accommodation was also evident. Jeong said, “During the previous fire, I also huddled in a car for ten days. A lot of relief supplies came in then, but I haven’t seen them this time.” Asked where he would stay after lodging assistance ended, he sighed and said, “It would be nice if they provided a place, but if they don’t, what other option is there?”
Since the fire, the displaced residents had been staying in temporary shelters set up in the gymnasiums of Gaepo Middle School and Guryong Middle School, among other places. But after the shelters closed due to school operations and other reasons, they moved to different accommodations starting on the 1st. At present, 57 people from 32 households have moved to private lodging facilities, including nearby motels, while the remaining 40 people from 28 households have dispersed to homes in Guryong Village or the homes of relatives and friends.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to extend disaster relief support, originally scheduled to run through the 7th, through the 14th to help stabilize the lives of those displaced. It plans to continue providing support to the 60 households affected by the fire. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will provide the funds to Gangnam-gu, which will disburse them.
Residents’ anxiety has not eased despite the extension of the relief period. Those receiving temporary lodging also say they are struggling, as it remains unclear where they will stay once the support ends and they lack cold-weather supplies and basic necessities for the winter.
Kim Je-seung, 67, who has lived in Guryong Village for about 35 years, said, “We urgently need winter clothing and basic necessities with the cold approaching, but support has been limited to one or two occasions, and most of the clothes that come in have already been worn by someone.” He added, “Sometimes even the food that arrives is close to its expiration date, so I don’t feel we’re receiving proper support.”
Meanwhile, police, fire authorities and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (KESCO) conducted a third joint inspection at the Guryong Village fire site that day. The inspection ended at around 2 p.m., and three items collected at the scene are to be sent for detailed analysis. Police said they are investigating the cause of the fire and have no plans for any further joint inspections.
[email protected] Lee Dong-hyeok Reporter