South Korea Reconsiders Allowing Bathtubs in Studio Apartments Amid Backlash

South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is reconsidering a regulatory change that would permit bathtubs in studio apartments, a move that had sparked significant backlash. The ministry announced on the 21st that it would review the relaxed regulations on bathtub installation following diverse opinions.

Previously, the ministry had planned to amend the building standards for multi-life facilities, which include studio apartments, to allow individual rooms to be equipped with bathtubs while removing the obligation to install desks and other study facilities. Historically, regulations prohibited cooking facilities and bathtubs in each room to prevent studio apartments from evolving beyond their intended purpose as study facilities into independent housing.

However, arguments have emerged advocating for the use of studio apartments as urban housing alternatives due to the surge in single-person households and rising housing costs. The government's attempt to revise the regulations to accommodate these arguments faced strong opposition, particularly from young people, who expressed concerns that the changes would undermine the basic living standards of studio apartment residents. Critics argue that allowing bathtubs without mandating desks would prioritize convenience over the original purpose of these facilities as places for study and basic living, potentially leading to a decline in the quality of life for residents.

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Various opinions have been raised regarding the relaxed regulations on bathtub installation, and we will review the relevant regulations.