In recent years, the streetscape of southwest Seoul has undergone a significant transformation, with foreign-language signage becoming increasingly common. As the region's ethnic Chinese population continues to grow, residents are finding themselves struggling to navigate their familiar neighborhoods.
For Kim, a 71-year-old Daerim-dong resident, the proliferation of Chinese-language storefront signs has become a daily challenge. With two translation applications installed on his mobile phone, he relies on technology to decipher the signs along his usual walking routes. "I've spent most of my life in this neighborhood, but now I can't even properly read the signs along the streets I walk every day," Kim laments.
The trend is not limited to Daerim-dong; foreign-language signs are rapidly spreading across southwestern Seoul districts like Yeongdeungpo and Guro. While this reflects a growing foreign resident population, Korean law prohibits signage written solely in foreign languages without Korean. As residents voice discomfort, some argue that local governments need to step up efforts to improve signs.
A recent survey conducted by The JoongAng Ilbo found that 14 out of 29 shops along a roughly 200-meter stretch between Exit 7 and Exit 9 of Daerim Station primarily used foreign languages like Chinese or English. While some included small Korean letters on one side, others were entirely in foreign languages, making it difficult for those unfamiliar with those languages to identify the store.
Online communities for delivery workers have also posted complaints about the lack of Korean signage, with remarks such as, "You need to know Chinese characters to make deliveries in Daerim-dong," and "All the signs are in foreign languages, so it's hard to find stores and deliveries take longer."