The “right to the city” and the “human rights city” in Asia

The chapter attempts to explain how the “right to the city” and the “human rights city” have been interpreted and practised in South Korea and Asia. The role of the World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) – held annually in Gwangju, South Korea since 2011 – will be explained as a case study, as the history of the discourse and practice of the human rights city and the right to the city in the region are closely linked to the WHRCF’s agenda-setting process. I will identify key factors and challenges in terms of lessons learned for the future of the human rights city movement in Korea and beyond based on my personal experiences and observations.