Seoul authorities want to invest $327 million to overcome the ‘loneliness epidemic’
Seoul’s city government plans to spend 451.3 billion won (about $327 million) over the next five years to implement the “City Without Loneliness” program. About this informs CNN.
Every year, thousands of South Koreans, mostly middle-aged men, die alone, and sometimes their bodies are not found until days or even weeks later. To overcome this problem, the Seoul government is introducing a program aimed at creating an urban space where people will not be alone.
The new initiative includes a 24-hour helpline with counselors to help overcome feelings of isolation, an online platform for support and in-person consultations and visits.
“Loneliness and isolation are not just individual problems, but tasks that society must solve together.” – said the mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-hoon.
In addition, the city plans to expand psychological support services, create additional green areas and provide food programs for elderly residents.
Over the past decade, the issue of loneliness has gained national attention as the incidence of social isolation increases, particularly among young people who choose to live apart from society. According to CNN, in 2022, about 244,000 people were in self-isolation in South Korea.
According to the latest figures from the Department of Health and Social Care, the number of lonely deaths is also on the rise, reaching 3,661 in 2023, compared to 3,559 in 2022 and 3,378 in 2021.
