Each year, thousands of South Koreans, primarily middle-aged men, pass away in solitude, disconnected from their families and friends. In many cases, their bodies remain undiscovered for days or even weeks. These incidents, known as “lonely deaths” or godoksa in Korean, reflect a broader issue of widespread loneliness and social isolation across the country—a problem the government is urgently trying to address.
This week, authorities in Seoul, South Korea’s bustling capital, announced plans to invest 451.3 billion won (about $327 million) over the next five years to combat loneliness and create “a city where no one feels alone.”
The city’s new initiatives will include round-the-clock access to loneliness counselors via hotline, an online counseling platform, and follow-up services such as in-person consultations and home visits.
“Loneliness and isolation are not just individual issues; they are challenges that society must tackle collectively,” said Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in a statement. He added that the city would use all its available resources to help those suffering from loneliness and assist them in reintegrating into society.
Seoul’s plan also includes expanded psychological services, more green spaces, nutritional meal programs for middle-aged and elderly residents, a specialized system to locate isolated individuals in need, and activities like gardening, sports, and book clubs to encourage social interaction.
Experts have praised these initiatives but note that further efforts are required, especially given that loneliness in South Korea is linked to unique cultural factors that can be hard to shift.
“Loneliness is a major social issue at the moment, so policies to address it are absolutely necessary,” said An Soo-jung, a psychology professor at Myongji University. However, she cautioned that careful consideration is needed to ensure these measures are implemented effectively.
The issue of loneliness has gained increasing attention in South Korea over the past decade, especially as the number of related problems has surged. One such phenomenon is the rise of young people withdrawing from society and living in isolation, a trend known by the Japanese term “hikikomori.” Estimates suggest that up to 244,000 South Koreans lived in such reclusion in 2022.
The number of lonely deaths has also steadily increased, reaching 3,661 last year, up from 3,559 in 2022 and 3,378 in 2021, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s latest data.
