Guryong Village Fire Extinguished After 12 Hours… Redevelopment for 3,739 Households and Resident Relocation Challenges

A major fire broke out once again in Guryong Village, Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The fire began at around 3:50 p.m. on October 27, 2026, and was completely extinguished at 4:39 a.m. on the 28th, after burning for about 12 hours and 49 minutes.

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Guryong Village, known as “Gangnam’s last shantytown,” is currently the site of an urban development project planned for 3,739 households.

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The fire has once again drawn attention not only to disaster response but also to the poor housing conditions and the challenge of relocating original residents amid redevelopment in Gangnam.

With a second major fire following the one in January this year, attention has also turned to how the incident might affect Guryong Village’s redevelopment schedule.

The fire started in a makeshift building in Zone 2 of Guryong Village and spread to nearby areas, including Zones 1, 3, and 7, driven by strong winds.

Fire authorities at one point issued a Level 2 response. A total of 232 firefighters, 6 helicopters, and 110 pieces of equipment were deployed at the scene.

The rapid spread of the fire is attributed in part to the structural characteristics of the site, where shacks are densely packed.

Guryong Village contains makeshift buildings constructed from easily combustible materials such as vinyl sheeting, plywood, and insulating cotton. Narrow roads and insufficient firefighting water supplies reportedly made it difficult for fire crews to reach the site and conduct extinguishing operations.

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A major fire also occurred on January 16, 2026. With fires recurring, fundamental measures to reduce risks are needed beyond immediate response.

Guryong Village is located around 567-1 Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

It is an unauthorized residential area that formed when displaced people settled there during Gangnam’s development in the 1980s. Shanty housing remained even after luxury apartments were built nearby.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH) are carrying out an urban development project to transform the area into a large residential complex.

Regarding housing supply, In July 2026, the Seoul Public Housing Integrated Deliberation Committee conditionally approved a plan to build a total of 2,120 households in Blocks M and B2.

Under the plan, Block B2 will have up to 28 floors and 1,820 households, while Block M will have up to 15 floors and 300 households.

The housing types include integrated public rental housing, Mirinae House long-term lease housing, and public-sale housing.

However, 3,739 households is the planned total for the entire project. It should not be taken to mean that all units will be offered for general sale or that subscription dates have been finalized.

A major challenge to address in pursuing redevelopment is the relocation and compensation of existing residents.

As of October 15, 2026, out of a total of 1,107 households, 950 households had completed relocation, while 157 remained, according to the tally.

The relocation rate is about 85.8%, but disagreements over compensation and housing measures remain between some residents and the project operator.

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The 107 people from 77 households forced to leave their homes by this fire will initially be provided with temporary accommodation for 7 days. SH is reviewing additional support options.

After the January fire, measures were put in place to provide temporary relocation housing, waive deposits, and reduce rent by 60%.

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The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to complete relocation by the first half of 2027 and begin housing construction in the second half of the same year.

However, eviction lawsuits are underway against some residents who have not relocated, so the actual construction start date may change.

Guryong Village redevelopment is attracting attention as a project that will supply new housing in the Gangnam area.

Gaepo-dong has undergone extensive reconstruction, significantly changing its residential environment. Once Guryong Village’s development is complete, green space connecting Daemosan and Guryongsan and a new residential complex are expected to be created.

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There are three points to check when reviewing the project.

First, whether the plan to provide 3,739 households proceeds to actual approvals and construction should be monitored.

Second, because the plan includes various types such as public rental and long-term lease housing, the total number of households should not be treated as the amount of private housing available for general sale.

Third, how much progress is made on resident relocation and compensation could affect the project schedule.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and SH believe this fire will have little impact on the overall redevelopment schedule.

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Even so, the fire has again highlighted the importance of protecting the safety and housing rights of existing residents while pursuing large-scale development.

The key to Guryong Village’s development is not simply to supply more apartments. It is important to complete urban development steadily while reducing disaster risks and addressing the relocation of original residents.

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