Concerns are mounting over the Seoul Youth Housing program as additional cases of deposit non-return due to lack of insurance have emerged, prompting criticism of the city's management and oversight responsibilities. More than half of the individuals eligible for advance payments in previously affected complexes have yet to receive support after a year.
On November 12, Seoul City Council members Park Ik-gang, Ham Dae-geon, and Lee So-ra, along with the youth housing advocacy group Min-dalpaengi Union, held a press conference in the Seoul City Council briefing room to demand action from the city regarding the ongoing deposit issues.
The deposit non-return problems first surfaced in 2024 in Dobong-gu's Edgar Ssangmun, followed by issues in 2025 at Songpa-gu's Jamsil Central Park, Dongjak-gu's Sadang COVE, and Gwangjin-gu's Oksan Green Tower. This year, additional cases have been reported at Yeongdeungpo-gu's Dorim Bravo.
A tenant from Dorim Bravo, identified as Mr. Ha, stated that he has not received his deposit of 12.2 million won due to the landlord's failure to secure insurance and financial difficulties.
"I trusted the explanation that insurance would be available at the time of the contract and put down nearly all my savings, but it was never secured," Ha said. "Despite repeatedly requesting measures from SH, the Seoul City government, and Yeongdeungpo District Office, the only response was a passive administrative action urging the landlord to secure insurance and imposing fines."
He added, "If no solution is provided, this will not be a safe housing program but rather a 'youth anxiety housing' or 'youth worry housing.'"
Ham Dae-geon pointed out that of the 81 units at Dorim Bravo, 41 have not renewed their insurance, indicating that the city has been negligent in protecting the deposits of young residents.
He also noted that while the city announced last year it would impose strict administrative penalties and recover various incentives from non-compliant landlords, the actual measures taken have only involved fines, falling short of the promised strong sanctions.
Lee So-ra mentioned that out of four affected households, only one has been recognized as a victim, while three remain unrecognized, suggesting that the city lacks a comprehensive understanding of the situation. If additional units go to auction, the number of victims could increase.
The city's advance payment measures for existing affected complexes are also progressing slowly. According to data released by the Democratic Party of Korea in the Seoul City Council, as of September 30, only 128 out of 297 eligible individuals across four complexes have received their deposits, representing just 43%.
The remaining 169 individuals, or 57%, have yet to receive support. Notably, all 85 eligible individuals at Sadang COVE have been unable to apply due to delays in recognizing them as victims of rental fraud.
Seong Dong-kyu, chair of Min-dalpaengi Union, stated, "Victims are being told they can only receive their deposits back if they move out, leading them to feel that they are being 'evicted while being promised assistance.'" He added that without responsible actions, more units are likely to go to auction one by one.
The support measures currently in place are limited to the four existing complexes, leaving new victims like those at Dorim Bravo without assistance. Ham emphasized that the current support measures are restricted to the four previously affected complexes, leaving newly affected individuals in a gap of relief.
Mr. Ha, who signed his lease on June 4, 2025, has found himself ineligible for the special law on rental fraud because he missed the cutoff date of May 31, 2025, by just four days.
Criticism of the city's management and oversight responsibilities has also been fueled by Mayor Oh Se-hoon's past statements. During a TV debate for mayoral candidates in May, Oh claimed that the issues with the Youth Housing program had been "fully resolved."
Seong urged, "After Mayor Oh's confident claims, new issues have arisen. Did he lie to the citizens of Seoul or deceive the youth? He should stop making excuses and apologize."
Lee also criticized Oh for evading responsibility, stating that during last year's questioning, he suggested that there was no legal obligation to apologize due to the private rental nature of the program.
Park Ik-gang pointed out that the city has repeatedly delayed action, merely stating they would consider the situation whenever issues arise, which has only made things harder for the victims.
Ham called on the city to establish practical support measures for all affected tenants, conduct a thorough review of the insurance status across all Youth Housing projects, impose effective sanctions on non-compliant landlords, and strengthen the verification and ongoing management of landlords' financial stability.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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