Â鶹´«Ã½

World

    • Seoul vows to move families from 'Parasite'-style basement homes after flooding deaths

    Share

    Seoul has vowed to move some of the city's poorest families out of underground and semi-subterranean homes after 13 people were killed in flooding caused by record-breaking rainfall this week, sparking public horror and calls for government accountability.

    The deaths, which included a family who drowned after becoming trapped underground, have spurred the South Korean capital to put an end to people living in "banjiha" homes – the often cramped and dingy basement apartments made famous by the movie "Parasite."

    The family of three – a woman in her '40s with Down syndrome, her sister, and the sister's 13-year-old daughter – died after water pressure prevented them from opening the door of their flooded home in Seoul's southern Gwanak district.

    On Monday night, torrential rain – the city's heaviest in more than 100 years – caused severe flooding in many low-lying neighbourhoods south of the Han River, sweeping cars away and forcing hundreds to evacuate.

    The family lived in a banjiha – a half-underground apartment, typically several steps below street level. In Seoul's notoriously expensive housing market, these apartments are some of the most affordable options available – meaning they're mostly inhabited by young people and those on low incomes.

    Often small, dark and prone to mould during the humid summer, banjihas gained global notoriety following the release of Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 movie "Parasite," which followed a fictional family's desperate attempt to escape poverty. The homes have since come to represent rampant inequality in one of the world's wealthiest cities.

    For years, there have been growing calls for the government to provide more affordable housing, improve living conditions in banjihas, or phase them out altogether – which officials pledged to do following public outcry over President Yoon Suk Yeol's handling of the crisis.

    "In the future, in Seoul, basements and semi-basements (banjihas) will not be allowed to be used for residential purposes," the Seoul city government said in a statement on Wednesday.

    However, experts say the government's promise overlooks larger problems that persist beyond the basement walls, of skyrocketing living costs that force the most vulnerable people to seek shelter in substandard housing susceptible to floods and heat – some of the worst effects of climate change.

    Bunkers to boom

    Banjihas were first built in the 1970s to serve as bunkers amid rising tensions with North Korea, said Choi Eun-yeong, executive director of the Korea Center for City and Environment Research.

    As Seoul modernized in the following decade, attracting migrants from rural regions, diminishing space prompted the government to allow residential use of the basements – even though they were "not built for residential purposes, but for air raid shelters, boiler rooms or warehouses," said Choi.

    Banjihas have long been riddled with problems such as poor ventilation and drainage, water leakage, lack of easy escape routes, insect infestation, and exposure to bacteria. But their low price is a major draw as Seoul becomes more unaffordable – especially for young people who face stagnating wages, rising rents and a saturated job market.

    The average price of an apartment in Seoul has more than doubled in the past five years, reaching 1.26 billion won ($963,000) in January this year – making it less affordable relative to income than New York, Tokyo and Singapore.

    The safety concerns regarding banjihas were thrust to the fore when severe flooding in 2010 and 2011 left dozens dead. In 2012, the government implemented new laws prohibiting banjiha apartments in "habitually flooded areas."

    But the attempt at reform fell short, with 40,000 additional banjihas built after the law passed, according to a news release by city authorities.

    Officials again vowed to investigate the issue after "Parasite" shone a spotlight on banjihas – but they were soon sidetracked by the COVID-19 pandemic, Choi said.

    As of 2020, more than 200,000 banjiha apartments remained in downtown Seoul – making up about 5% of all households, according to the National Statistical Office.

    Along with its failure to improve housing, the city government came under fire this year after slashing its annual budget for flood control and water resources management by more than 15% to 17.6 billion won ($13.5 million).

    Family drowned

    The family who died in Gwanak couldn't escape their apartment due to water building up outside their door, said Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters.

    The fire and rescue chief accompanied President Yoon to the site of the deaths on Tuesday, where they inspected the building and interviewed some of its residents. Photos show the president squatting on the street, peering through the ground-level window into the still-flooded basement apartment.

    "I don't know why the people here didn't evacuate in advance," Yoon said during the inspection – a remark that has since been widely criticized online.

    "Water came in an instant," one resident replied.

    "It took less than 10 or 15 minutes (for the water to rise)," another resident said, adding that the victims "lived very, very difficult lives."

    In its statement Wednesday, the Seoul city government said it would phase out basement and banjiha apartments "so they cannot be inhabited by people, regardless of habitual flooding or flood-prone areas."

    Banjihas are "a backward housing type that threatens the housing-vulnerable in all aspects, including safety and residential environment, and should now be eliminated," said Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

    The elimination process will include a "grace period" of 10 to 20 years for existing banjihas with building permits, and tenants will be helped to move into public rental housing, or receive housing vouchers, the government said in a statement. After banjihas have been cleared, they will be converted for non-residential use, it added.

    Choi Eun-yeong, the urban environment researcher, expressed skepticism over the government's purported commitment to eliminating banjihas, arguing the proposal was overly ambitious and lacked concrete details such as specifics on the timeline or compensation figures.

    "In fact, I think there is a very high possibility that it will only be a declaration and not be implemented," she said, pointing to the government's various promises – and limited success – over the years.

    Poorest hit hardest

    The rain has now eased in Seoul – but experts warn that this kind of extreme, unpredictable weather will become only more frequent and intense due to climate change.

    The climate crisis is "raising the temperature of the Earth and the ocean, which means the amount of water vapour the air can hold is getting bigger," said Park Jung-min, deputy director of the Korea Meteorological Administration press office. "It's up to the weather, where this bag of water will pour."

    As is often the case, it seems likely the poorest will be among those hit hardest.

    "Those who have difficulty with living and those who are physically ill are bound to be more vulnerable to natural disasters," President Yoon said on Wednesday. "Only when they are safe, is the Republic of Korea safe."

    Similar problems have occurred in other countries in recent years; in parts of India, monsoon floods have repeatedly destroyed slums; in Bangladesh, many people have migrated from villages to urban areas to escape increasingly frequent floods.

    And in the United States, research has found that Black, Latino and low-income families are more likely to live in flood-prone areas.

    Apart from chronic displacement and disrupted livelihoods, the expected increase in rain across Asia could bring a host of health hazards including higher risk of diarrheal diseases, dengue fever and malaria – a further blow to already impoverished families without access to medical care or the means to relocate.

    Meanwhile, flooding and drought could cause rural poverty and rising food costs, according to the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

    In Seoul, banjiha residents face the double danger of flooding and heat waves, Choi Eun-yeong said.

    "The changes brought about by the climate crisis are almost catastrophic, especially for the most vulnerable, because they don't have proper housing to respond to those conditions," she said.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

    Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    Canada

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    • The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province’s police watchdog.

    World

    Politics

    • Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • LIVE

      LIVE

      Thousands of people are gathered in downtown Vancouver to observe the city’s 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • A suspect was arrested for allegedly brandishing a knife outside a Vancouver elementary school on Friday – just as the young students were heading home for the day.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift’s upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada’s largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • A man believed to be in his 40s has been rushed to a trauma centre following a stabbing in downtown Toronto.

    • Calgarians will be observing Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

    • July 2025 may seem like it’s in the distant future, but for the St. Luke playground committee time is ticking to fundraise the $340,000 they still need to build a new playground.

    • Getting out to the mountains is even easier with a new bus route from a growing Germany-based service.

    • Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats to a woman is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.

    • With fewer interments and rising maintenance fees, the money for Canada's largest military cemetery will run out in three to four years.

    • Montreal Metro passengers can now flag a safety concern by texting a new phone number launched by the STM.

    • LIVE @ 10:45 A.M. MT

      LIVE @ 10:45 A.M. MT

      Monday is Remembrance Day, a time to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

    • WEATHER

      WEATHER

      This is shaping up to be one of the warmest Remembrance Days in the past decade, at least, for temperatures.

    • Maritimers will stop Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother’s death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Remembrance Day is today, and a number of ceremonies are taking place around the province to honour those who gave their lives to serve our country.

    • A pillar in Canada’s history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.

    • There will be two ceremonies taking place in Regina for Remembrance Day, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book ‘War Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.’

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • During conciliation, more than 40 registered nurses reached a deal with their employer on a new three-year collective agreement the union said includes fair wages, hours of work and improved benefits.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

    • A Barrie man is at the centre of an alleged $2.2 million stolen used car scheme.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • Barrie residents gathered on Monday to honour Canada’s veterans and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for the country.

    • Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • Windsor Paralympic champion, Danielle Campo, has been crowned the number one Inspirational Speaker of the Year for 2024 at the Inspirational Speaking Finals.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year’s host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • It was just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down when the Shaft Bottom Boys of Sudbury broke a world record for 'Deepest Concert Underground.' Now, more than four years later, a Timmins band is looking to take the title.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at Â鶹´«Ã½. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹´«Ã½