Young Koreans are mocking Democratic Party Rep. Hwang Hee's idea of using old buses to create housing for young people with satirical images generated using artificial intelligence.
Some images portray old buses as providing luxurious homes, while others depict shabby buses clustered together in a shanty town.
One viral image showed bus houses parked along the Han River, sarcastically portraying life in a bus as an aspirational lifestyle. Apartments with a Han River view are widely regarded in South Korea as a symbol of an opulent life.
Another online post on X featuring real estate listings for bus houses, titled "Today's youth bus real estate listings," went viral.
The post listed properties such as "Hannam The Wheels on sale for 20 million won ($14,000)," Acro Reverse on sale for 15 million won," and "Banporter Zi on sale for 15 million won."
Each name is a vehicle-related play on words referring to expensive apartment complexes: Hannam The Hill, Acro River Park and Banpo Xi.
Several images sketched the bus houses as forming slums, with one having a sign that says, "We support the future of the youth."
"Why don't you go live there yourself?" an online user wrote. Another wrote, "The housing crisis is because of the high prices, not because there are no homes to live in."
The public backlash grew after Hwang posted his ideas of making use of abandoned buses as residential houses in a Facebook Post on Friday, saying they would not only be affordable but also mobile.
The ruling Democratic Party apologized Sunday, saying that Hwang's idea was impractical.
Criticism continued Monday, with lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party condemning Hwang's proposal.
"Why don't you set up tents in Namsan Mountain and boats on the Han River?" said Rep. Shin Dong-uk at the Supreme Council Meeting on Monday, saying that the ruling party has failed to reflect the realities of young people in their housing policies.
mjcha@heraldcorp.com