[Photo] Victims of Pohang earthquake still reside in temporary shelter nearly a year later

Although almost a year has passed since an earthquake measuring 5.4 in magnitude rattled the city of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, on Nov. 15, 2017, 208 people (91 households) are still in temporary shelters after having lost their homes. Although the city government has tried to dismantle the temporary shelter facilities, fierce opposition from the inhabitants have prevented such efforts.

The shelter’s occupants are now demanding government measures for replacement housing, turning the temporary shelter into ground zero for a sit-in protest. Life in the shelter is taking its toll on the physical and mental health of its occupants. One occupant surnamed Park complained of having to rely on sleeping pills to get some rest. “Living in such close quarters with other people makes you highly sensitive. You are careful of every move you make because you don’t want to disturb your neighbors.” (Kim Myoung-jin, staff photographer)