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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Seoul apartment installs locked gate on outdoor elevator, sparking resident debate

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • An apartment building in Seoul installed a locked gate on its outdoor elevator, sparking debate among residents about safety versus convenience.
  • The decision, made after a resident vote, restricts access to apartment dwellers via password or key card, citing issues like vandalism and garbage left by non-residents.
  • The author criticizes the move as an unnecessary imposition and a step towards a surveillance-driven society, contrasting it with the perceived safety of South Korea, which they argue stems from distrust rather than civic virtue.

An outdoor elevator in Seoul's Mapo district, once accessible to all, now sports a locked glass and steel gate, dividing residents. The apartment building, situated on a steep incline, requires either a long staircase or this elevator to reach. Initially installed to foster an open living space, the elevator became a point of contention after residents voted to restrict access.

The apartment building has a glass and steel gate in front of the outdoor elevator.

โ€” AuthorDescribing the new security measure installed on the building's elevator.

The justification for the gate cited frequent breakdowns and littering by non-residents, particularly students who gather nearby after school. However, the author argues that these students are harmless and that the vote unfairly cast them as culprits. The installation, completed swiftly, felt abrupt and visually jarring on a structure not designed for it. The new system, requiring a password or key card, proved cumbersome, especially for elderly residents, adding a layer of inconvenience to daily life.

Reflecting on the "K- ๊ตญ๋ฝ•" (national pride) videos popular online, which often showcase South Korea's safety and advanced systems through the eyes of admiring foreigners, the author found a different explanation. A comment suggested that Korea's safety isn't due to mutual trust but rather a deep-seated societal distrust, leading to the creation of highly controlled systems. This resonated with the author, who now sees the nation's "safe country" image as a product of this pervasive distrust, rather than inherent civic virtue.

Korea is not a society of trust. It's a society of distrust.

โ€” Foreigner commenterExplaining the reason behind South Korea's perceived safety, as seen by the author.

Despite the inconvenience, the author acknowledges that the "new normal" has settled in, with most residents seemingly accepting the change. The author, a minority in their opposition, laments the trend towards increased security measures, fearing a future where even public staircases might be subjected to airport-style screening. This push for enhanced safety, driven by a lack of trust, risks creating a "convenient dystopia" reminiscent of George Orwell's "1984," where technology enables constant surveillance and control, ultimately sacrificing freedom for a manufactured sense of security.

I fear that one day, even the giant staircase leading up to the apartment from the outside will be equipped with an X-ray system like at the airport.

โ€” AuthorExpressing concern about the escalating security measures and surveillance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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