Habitat for Humanity South Korea| Contact information | HFH South Korea
Jung-gu
5th Flr. Daegeum Building
393-38 Sindang 1-dong,
Seoul
100-832
South Korea
Phone: +82 222673702
Fax: +82 222375781
E-mail: habitat@habitat.or.kr
| | Web site | www.habitat.or.kr
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South Korea -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l 1
KOREAN BRAND NAMES NOW span the world as South Korea continues to prove one of the great development success stories of recent decades.
Poverty levels have shrunk significantly. In the 1950s, war ravaged the Korean peninsula and South Korea was one of the poorest places on earth. Most people lived in extreme poverty. Even as late as the mid-1960s, an estimated 60-70 per cent of the population lived below the poverty level. By the 1990s, this figure had fallen as low as 3.4 percent. This figure could rise again in the wake of the current global economic downturn which has hit Korea badly.
Yet South Koreans wanting decent homes face major obstacles. Escalating land prices have made it difficult for lower income families to afford decent shelter. The dramatic increase in population density has compounded the housing issue, resulting in the need for creative uses of available land.
In 1992, a group of volunteers investigated whether the Habitat for Humanity concept could be effective in South Korea. With land donated by a Christian communal village and funds provided by individual donors, these volunteers completed three houses in Yangju-gun, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, about 30 km. north of Seoul, two years later.
Today HFH Korea is one of the most active parts of the Habitat world, building houses at home as well as abroad. To date, HFH Korea has built close to 600 houses at home and nearly 700 overseas. HFH Korea has been particularly active in responding to recent natural calamities at home and as far afield as Pakistan.
Land costs have traditionally been borne by the national organization, but it is now transferring the land titles to the homeowners under a revised contract.
On average, a Habitat house covers 53 sq. m. and costs some US$40,000 to build. Houses are made of concrete, lumber, plywood, drywall, styrofoam, siding, and shingle. Because of South Korea’s harsh winters, insulation is a must. Construction time takes from four to six months.
HFH Korea is a strong supporter of Global Village international volunteer builds. Each year, South Korea sends 40 to 50 teams overseas, to countries such as the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
HABITAT HIGHLIGHTS
• In November 2008, HFH Korea dedicated its 1,000th house, together with three others in the Unification Village in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju City, in the northwest Gyeonggi province.
• The first “Under No Roof” event to highlight the issue of substandard housing and homelessness was held at Hanyang University, Seoul, in October 2008 with 1,000 participants and 150 volunteer staff. To celebrate the event, a classical concert was held where the Urasian Philharmonic Orchestra performed for an audience of 4,000.
• In June 2008, 80 pastors from all over the country joined the first “Pastors Build” program to strengthen relations among different church groups, and between churches and HFH Korea.
• HFH Korea raised 140 million won (about US$ 130,000) in a fund-raising fashion show in Seoul in June 2008. The chairman of the HFH Korea board and his wife took to the catwalk, modeling traditional costumes. Over the past eight years, funds raised through the annual fashion show have contributed to the building of 19 new houses.
• The government’s overseas aid arm, Korea International Cooperation Agency, has channeled some US$322,000 through HFH Korea to support housing projects in Nepal and Vietnam in Asia and Madagascar in Africa.
• In January 2007, a 16-member team from South Korea helped to build 15 more permanent homes for earthquake-affected families in the badly-hit Balakot region, in Pakistan. The volunteers also assisted families to cut timber using Habitat’s free sawmill services.
• Habitat helped nearly 500 families in South Korea to make minor repairs to their houses in 2008. This was an expansion of a 2005 program that benefited 184 families in Seoul.
• During the 2001 Jimmy Carter Work Project, some 10,000 volunteers from South Korea and overseas helped to build 136 houses at six sites including Asan.
COUNTRY FACTS
Population: 48.4 million (July 2008 est.)
Capital: Seoul
Area: 98,480 sq. km.
Ethnic groups: Korean
Languages: Korean, some English spoken
Religions: Christian 27.2 % (Protestant 19.8%, Roman catholic 7.4 %), Buddhist 25.3 %, other or unknown 1.4 %, none 46.1 % (2003 census)
Updated January 2009
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