This article sheds light on the growth and evolution of the urban poor settlement community movement in the Siheung area, which began with the establishment of Bogumjari Village in 1977, followed by Handok Village in 1979, and Mokhwa Village in 1986. This movement represents an alternative housing initiative aimed at breaking the vicious cycle of poverty caused by the over-urbanization of Seoul, the formation of large-scale slum areas, and the hasty eviction policies that operated under a “de-invisibilization” approach. Je Jung-gu, John Vincent Daly, and others who led this movement discovered that in the shantytowns, the poor lived together, caring for one another, and they believed this to be the essence of true community and humanity. They were convinced that preserving and expanding this essence of community and humanity was vital, which is why they dedicated themselves to the relocation and settlement of evicted communities.
Unlike most urban poor movements that emerged and faded informally and spontaneously, the urban poor movement in the Siheung area was characterized by a certain degree of formality from the outset, thanks to support from religious groups and foreign aid organizations. Under the leadership of Je Jung-gu and John Vincent Daly, this movement uniquely expanded its collective identity while aiming to build a strong sense of community.
The process of forming a sense of “community” in the three villages varied according to the differences in timing and conditions, and there were also various sources of conflict. However, an emotional bond and sense of solidarity as evictees and migrants operated among these villages. Despite their differences, they gradually evolved into a “unified regional community” and a key force in the urban poor movement and the broader citizens‘ movement, with the Bogumjari community, Bogum Credit Union, and Jakkeunjari Hall serving as focal points.