[Anchor]

The government has decided to reconsider a plan that would allow bathtubs to be installed in Gorewons (small, budget-friendly single-person rooms) in place of desks. The policy was withdrawn just nine days after its announcement following heavy criticism that it was out of touch with the reality of youth housing, along with a wave of AI-generated satirical images.

Reporter Lee Tae-gwon has the details.

[Reporter]

This is an AI-generated composite image posted online.

A bathtub is awkwardly placed inside a cramped Goshawon room.

When the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued an administrative notice on the 12th regarding a revision to architectural standards that would scrap the mandatory installation of desks in Goshawons while permitting bathtubs, mockery flooded online communities and social media.

Sharp criticisms followed, such as remarks that it resembled a motel rather than a Goshawon, or that the small rooms would be filled with mold.

The government's intention was to ease regulations in response to a continuously growing single-person household population, with households living in Goshawons or Goshutels estimated at 158,000 as of 2022. However, public sentiment pointing out a lack of practicality was overwhelming.

The Single-Person Households Association also expressed concern that it could simply increase spaces that look like homes but are not actual homes.

[Kim Dong-hyun / Dongjak-gu, Seoul: From the perspective of someone who lived in one for a month, it is quite impractical. Since there are no windows to begin with, if a bathtub goes in, there is a much higher chance that humidity and things like that will get worse...]

In the end, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced yesterday afternoon (the 21st), just nine days after the administrative notice, that it would re-evaluate the regulation.

The ministry explained that the initiative was pursued following suggestions from small and medium-sized enterprises to improve regulations, but it is entering a re-evaluation phase as various opinions have been raised.

However, following earlier remarks by Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee—who previously suggested converting scrapped buses into youth housing before issuing an apology—criticism appears unavoidable that the government's perception of youth housing struggles lacks seriousness.

(Photo: Yonnhap News)
(Video coverage: Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Chan-soo, Kang Si-woo | Video editing: Kim Jong-mi | Design: Jang Seong-beom)