The government has decided to reconsider a plan to allow the installation of bathtubs in individual rooms of goshiwon, a type of low-cost housing, following criticism that such a move is disconnected from reality.
According to the government on August 23, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had announced on August 12 a revision to the 'Building Standards for Multi-Use Facilities' that would permit bathtubs in goshiwon rooms and eliminate the requirement for study facilities like desks.
Under current regulations, goshiwon, classified as multi-use facilities, are required to have study facilities, and bathtubs have been prohibited in individual rooms since 2015.
The ministry had pushed for regulatory relaxation, considering the increasing use of goshiwon as living spaces for single-person households, beyond just study and lodging facilities. The intent was to adjust regulations that are not directly related to safety, such as fire safety, to better reflect current realities. This revision was developed in response to requests for regulatory improvements from small businesses.
The proposed changes would remove bathtubs from the list of prohibited facilities in goshiwon rooms while keeping cooking facilities as the only restriction. It would also eliminate the requirement for study facilities like desks in each room.
However, criticism has continued since the announcement. Many pointed out that goshiwon rooms are generally small and often lack adequate ventilation, soundproofing, and hygiene, making the installation of bathtubs unlikely to lead to meaningful improvements in living conditions.
Concerns were also raised that the installation of bathtubs could be used as a justification for increasing deposits or monthly rents. Users emphasized that improvements in cooking facilities, ventilation, soundproofing, and fire safety standards should take precedence over bathtubs.
In response to the growing criticism, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has decided to review the regulations based on the feedback received during the announcement process.
The ministry stated, “Given the diverse opinions raised during the announcement process, we will reconsider the regulations,” adding, “We will continue to incorporate various perspectives from all sectors in our policy implementation to ensure that regulatory relaxation is felt by the public.”
Meanwhile, there are calls for comprehensive measures to address housing difficulties for young people and single-person households, rather than allowing certain facilities. These measures should consider minimum housing standards, safety, and rental burdens together.
As the housing crisis for young people intensifies, various housing alternatives have been proposed, but criticisms regarding their effectiveness persist. Previously, Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee faced backlash for suggesting the idea of converting decommissioned buses into short-term housing for students near universities, referred to as 'decommissioned bus youth housing.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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