Seoul, the major Asian capital, has launched a £250m initiative known as the “Loneliness-Free Seoul” plan to combat the issue of loneliness and prevent people from dying alone. This initiative comes in response to the increasing number of single-person households and senior citizens living alone in the city. The aim of the initiative is to address the root causes of loneliness and tackle the rising cases of godoksa (lonely deaths) in the South Korean capital.
Data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare revealed that there were 3,559 lonely deaths in 2022 and 3,661 in 2023 across South Korea. Noh Jung-hoon, a welfare official from the health ministry, attributed the increase in lonely deaths among people in their 20s and 30s to factors like joblessness and layoffs.
Over the next five years, Seoul plans to invest £250.2m to ensure that all residents, both Koreans and foreign nationals, do not feel isolated. The “Loneliness-Free Seoul” plan will revolve around the “Smart 24 Platform”, providing online and offline resources for residents to seek help and counselling.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon highlighted that issues such as low happiness levels, high suicide rates, and depression are interconnected with loneliness. He emphasized that loneliness is not just a personal challenge but a societal issue that requires collective efforts to address effectively.
One of the key strategies of the initiative is the introduction of the “Goodbye Loneliness 120” helpline, a 24-hour service connecting callers with trained counsellors. The plan also includes the establishment of community spaces called Seoul Heart Convenience Stores, where lonely individuals can enjoy simple meals and engage with counsellors.
Moreover, Seoul will launch the 365 Seoul Challenge, linking major city events to a rewards system to encourage participation. The city will also collaborate with food delivery platforms to identify isolated customers in single-person households.
In addition to these measures, the government plans to extend mental health promotion services to all residents, not just high-risk groups. For elderly residents, community-based networking options such as cooking classes and exercise sessions will be introduced to alleviate social isolation.
The initiative aims to address the pressing issue of loneliness in South Korea, especially among younger generations who face challenges like a high cost of living, lack of stable employment, and societal pressures. By implementing comprehensive strategies to tackle loneliness, Seoul hopes to create a more connected and supportive community for all its residents.