Summary

The Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context, Leilani Farha, conducted an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 14 to 23 May 2018, at the invitation of the Government. The Special Rapporteur’s objective was to identify positive outcomes and existing challenges for the realization of the right to adequate housing in the country. In that context, the Special Rapporteur considered to what extent vulnerable groups are enjoying the right to housing.

In her report, the Special Rapporteur provides an overview of the legal framework related to the right to adequate housing in the Republic of Korea and of housing conditions, including accessibility, affordability, habitability and security of tenure. The Special Rapporteur covers particular issues of concern, such as substandard housing, living conditions in informal settlements, homelessness, financialization and the impact of urban renewal and reconstruction on the right to adequate housing, including forced evictions in this context.

The Special Rapporteur analyses the enjoyment of the right to adequate housing by women, young people and older persons, migrant workers, persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and discusses to what extent residents can claim their right to housing. The report concludes with a set of recommendations on how the right to adequate housing could be further strengthened in law, regulations, policy and administrative practice.