After Japan’s forced annexation of Korea, many Japanese migrated to Seoul for various purposes. As the Japanese population in Kyungsung(now Seoul) increased and the discriminatory policies of the Korean Governor-General worsened, the situation for Koreans deteriorated.
Especially with the influx of Japanese and local Korean people from rural areas, housing shortages were severe in Kyungsung at the time. As urban planning continued to prioritize Japanese residents, the housing shortage rate for Koreans reached around 15%.
In this situation, Jeong Se-gwon established a housing development company called ‘Geonyangsa’ and developed and built large-scale house complexes for Koreans.
These houses were mainly modified forms of traditional Korean houses, known as ‘Hanok,’ and were sold on installment plans to financially struggling citizens.
Jeong Se-gwon did not do these things solely for his own business interests. At the time, Japanese residents mainly resided in the areas of Myeong-dong and Yongsan. However, as Japanese colonial rule and industrial expansion continued and the Japanese population grew, he proceeded with the construction of residential complexes in Bukchon for Korean residents.
Therefore, to preserve Bukchon, which was the cornerstone of the lives of Korean citizens at the time and located between Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung, he purchased the land and constructed a large number of small-scale hanok houses, allowing as many Koreans as possible to reside there.
The area is still known as ‘Bukchon Hanok Village’ and has a long-standing history. Although traces of the past may not remain, it is said that similar hanok complexes were constructed in various areas of Seoul.
In addition to his architectural business, Jeong Se-gwon also participated in various nationalist movements. He devoted himself to encouraging anti-Japanese resistance and preventing the loss of Korean identity through activities such as the ‘Joseon Language Society’, and the ‘Shingan Society’.
Subsequently, he suffered torture due to his deep involvement in nationalist movements and lost a significant amount of his property to the Japanese Government-General of Korea. Furthermore, as the post-liberation development projects fell short of expectations, He returned to his hometown and spent the rest of his life there.
“The number of people is power. We must prevent Japanese people from setting foot in Jongno.”
“Let’s not turn Kyungsung into Keijo. Let’s preserve Kyungsung as Kyungsung.”
Jung Se-gwon, the first real estate developer and independence fighter of Korea. Now, become the 21st-century Jung Se-gwon and complete Korea that he dreamed of!