Evicting Homelessness: A Flawed Approach to a Complex Issue

The Incheon Airport’s decision to evict homeless individuals from its passenger terminals has sparked widespread criticism from advocates. The airport’s move may seem like a straightforward solution to the problem of homeless people staying on airport grounds, but it is fundamentally misguided and fails to address the underlying issues driving homelessness.

Homeless Action, a local advocacy group, reports that over 200 people are currently staying in the terminals due to the heatwave. While passengers and cleaning workers may be concerned about hygiene and disruption, evicting these individuals only pushes them further into the margins. Instead of resorting to eviction, Homeless Action has urged the airport and city authorities to develop support systems for vulnerable homeless individuals.

The issue at Incheon Airport is part of a larger pattern in South Korea, where homelessness remains a persistent problem despite efforts to address it. According to official figures, 136 people were living on the streets as of December 2025, little changed from 2013 when the city adopted an ordinance aimed at supporting the welfare and self-reliance of people experiencing homelessness. This suggests that previous initiatives have fallen short in addressing the root causes of homelessness.

Incheon City’s lack of a comprehensive support system for homeless individuals is a glaring omission, given its reputation as one of South Korea’s most developed cities. Joo Jang-wook, a senior activist with Homeless Action, criticized the city’s approach: “Incheon International Airport Corp. should halt the hastily implemented eviction measure and fulfill its responsibilities as a public institution.” This highlights the expectation that airports, as hubs of commercial activity, also have a duty to support vulnerable members of society.

The airport’s decision to evict homeless individuals raises questions about the role of public spaces in addressing homelessness. As cities become increasingly aware of their social responsibilities, they must rethink how they approach issues like homelessness. Incheon Airport’s move is a reminder that even supposedly ‘public’ spaces can be exclusionary and neglectful of those who need support.

The government and local authorities must take a more nuanced approach to addressing homelessness in South Korea. This involves developing comprehensive support systems, including emergency housing assistance, job training programs, and social services. It also requires a shift in public perception – recognizing that homelessness is not just an issue of individual failure, but rather a symptom of deeper societal problems.

As the summer heatwave continues, Incheon Airport’s eviction policy may be seen as a temporary solution to a pressing problem. However, it is crucial that we don’t sacrifice long-term solutions for short-term gains. The city and airport authorities must work together to develop a support system that addresses the needs of vulnerable homeless individuals, rather than simply evicting them.

Incheon Airport’s decision to evict homeless individuals highlights the need for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to homelessness in South Korea. By neglecting this issue, we risk perpetuating the cycle of poverty and marginalization that drives homelessness. It is time for us to rethink our assumptions about what it means to be ‘homeless’ and to work towards creating a society that supports all its members, regardless of their circumstances.