Mold in Korean Apartments

Mold is common in Korea due to humid summers and poor ventilation. Here's how to handle it.

Common locations

Walls (결로)

Condensation on cold exterior walls. Worst in winter.

Bathroom

Silicone joints, tile grout, ceiling. Poor ventilation.

반지하 (semi-basement)

Ground moisture seepage. Hardest to fix.

AC / Ceiling

Condensation from AC, water leaks from above.

DIY vs Professional

DIY	Professional
• Small area (under 1㎡) • Surface mold only • Cost: ₩10,000–30,000 • Risk: spore inhalation	• Large area or recurring • Deep wall penetration • Cost: ₩100,000–500,000 • Includes root cause fix

Prevention

• Ventilate 2x daily (10 min each)
• Keep humidity below 50% (use dehumidifier in summer)
• Leave 5cm gap between furniture and walls
• Wipe condensation immediately
• Run bathroom fan for 30 min after showering

Is your landlord responsible?

If mold is caused by building defects (leaks, no insulation), the landlord should pay. If caused by tenant behavior (no ventilation), it's your responsibility. Document everything with photos.