The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that it would be providing more subsidies for those repairing or building “hanok” anywhere in the city.

In accordance with the ordinance on preserving and promoting the Korean traditional houses, the subsidies that had previously been limited to areas concentrated with hanok will soon apply to any part of the capital.

When building a new hanok, one will be eligible to receive up to 80 million won ($69,000) in subsidies for the exterior and an up to a 20 million won loan for the interior.

For overall repair work, up to 60 million won in subsidies and an up to a 20 million won loan will be offered for the exterior, with a loan of up to 40 million won for the interior. Partial repair works will also be subsidized by up to 10 million won.
The support will be wider for the building of hanok in areas designated as hanok preservation sites, going up to 150 million won.

Up to 180 million won in subsidies will be offered for comprehensive repair work.

The evaluation process for the subsidies will also be simplified, such as by removing vague terms such as “preferably” or “as possible,” the city said.

In considering eligibility for the support fund, the city will provide basic requirements for maintaining the traditional architecture of the hanok, such as in designing and building the roof, exterior surface and fence walls.

“It is hoped that with the revised evaluation standards, we can secure consistency and shorten the time in the review process,” said Jeong Yoo-seung from the city’s housing construction bureau.

Earlier this month, the city designated five areas in Bukchon, Seochon, Insa-dong, Donhwamunro in Jongno district and Seonjamdanji in Seongbuk district as hanok preservation sites.

In these areas, only construction of hanok is permitted. There are five other areas designated as hanok concentration sites that also receive larger subsidies, but with less restrictions.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)