Every year, thousands of South Koreans \u2013 mostly middle-aged men \u2013 die quietly and alone, cut off from their family and friends. It sometimes takes days or even weeks before their bodies are found. <\/p>\n
These are the country\u2019s \u201clonely deaths,\u201d known as godoksa in Korean. It\u2019s part of a larger problem of loneliness and isolation across the country, an issue so pressing the government is pulling out all the stops to fight it. <\/p>\n
In the bustling capital Seoul, city authorities announced this week they would spend 451.3 billion won (nearly $327 million) over the next five years to \u201ccreate a city where no-one is lonely.\u201d <\/p>\n
Their new initiatives include loneliness counselors available on a 24\/7 hotline, an online platform for similar counseling, as well as follow-up measures including in-person visits and consultations, according to the metropolitan government. <\/p>\n
\u201cLoneliness and isolation are not just individual problems, but tasks that society must solve together,\u201d Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon said in a news release. The city will \u201cmobilize all of our municipal capacity\u201d to help lonely people heal and \u201creturn to society,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
The city also plans to introduce expanded psychological services and green spaces; nutritional meal plans for middle-aged and elderly residents; a dedicated \u201csearch system\u201d to identify isolated residents who need help; and activities to encourage people to venture outside and connect with others, such as gardening, sports, book clubs and more. <\/p>\n
Experts have welcomed the measures but say more needs to be done \u2013 partly because loneliness in Korea is tied to certain unique parts of Korean culture that are difficult to change. <\/p>\n
\u201cLoneliness is a significant social issue right now, so efforts or policies to address it are absolutely necessary,\u201d said An Soo-jung, a psychology professor at Myongji University \u2013 cautioning, however, that \u201cthere needs to be careful consideration about how effectively these measures will be implemented.\u201d <\/p>\n
The problem of loneliness has gained national attention over the past decade as the number of related issues increased \u2013 such as young people who withdraw from the world and spend their days isolated at home, often for months at a time. The phenomenon, known by the Japanese term \u201chikikomori,\u201d has become increasingly common; South Korea had up to 244,000 such recluses in 2022 by one estimate. <\/p>\n
The number of lonely deaths has also been rising \u2013 reaching 3,661 last year, up from 3,559 in 2022 and 3,378 in 2021, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare\u2019s latest figures released last week. <\/p>\n
Part of that increase could be the ministry\u2019s new, broader definition for \u201clonely death.\u201d While in previous years the body had to be found only after \u201ca certain amount of time\u201d to qualify as a \u201clonely death,\u201d the term now applies to anyone who lives in social isolation, cut off from family or relatives, and dies due to suicide or illness. <\/p>\n
Another factor behind the uptick could be the country\u2019s demographic crisis. An aging population and declining birthrate mean there have been consistently more deaths than births in recent years. South Korea\u2019s overall death rate is rising \u2013 and that includes lonely deaths. <\/p>\n
But the figures still speak to a larger problem that seems to impact middle aged and elderly men the most. <\/p>\n
More than 84% of the lonely deaths recorded last year were male, more than five times the number of female deaths, according to the ministry. Men in their 50s and 60s made up more than half the total group, making them \u201cparticularly vulnerable to the risk of dying alone.\u201d <\/p>\n
Loneliness isn\u2019t unique to South Korea, and \u201cit\u2019s difficult to say that Koreans are particularly lonelier than others,\u201d said An, the psychology professor. However, when asked about what makes them feel lonely, \u201cthere are some differences compared to other countries,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
In some cultures, loneliness is seen as a feeling that happens \u201cwhen relationships are not fulfilling,\u201d An said. \u201cIn Korea, people say they feel very lonely when they feel they\u2019re not worthy enough or lack purpose.\u201d <\/p>\n
A study from June this year found that the epidemic of loneliness reflects nuances in Korean culture, which \u201cemphasizes relational orientation\u201d \u2013 or people defining themselves in relation to others around them. As a result, South Koreans may feel deep loneliness or a sense of failure if they feel they\u2019re not \u201cmaking a significant impact on others or society,\u201d the study said. <\/p>\n
This is a major difference from other countries, according to An. Koreans may have a thriving social life and close connections to others, but they may still feel lonely \u201cwhen they compare themselves to others and question whether they are useful, contributing enough to society, or falling behind.\u201d <\/p>\n
The study also identified other factors such as the rise in single-person households, decline in social interactions outside work and family, the dominance of social media and how it fosters feelings of inadequacy, and South Korea\u2019s competitive, \u201cachievement-oriented\u201d culture, which drives feelings of loneliness among those falling short of their own goals. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we all pursue the same values excessively, we end up losing ourselves,\u201d An said. \u201cOur society demands highly collective social living but often fails to respect the individual\u201d \u2013 meaning people struggle to deal with solitude or the feeling of failure. <\/p>\n
South Korean authorities have launched various initiatives over the years to combat the problem, including the Lonely Death Prevention and Management Act which ordered the government to compile a comprehensive preventative plan and a five-yearly situation report. <\/p>\n
And in 2023, the government passed an amendment making some reclusive youth eligible for financial support, including up to 650,000 won ($475) per month for living expenses, to help them \u201cre-enter society.\u201d <\/p>\n
South Korea isn\u2019t alone in fighting this battle. <\/p>\n
Japan, where the hikikomori trend was first recognized and studied in depth, appointed a Minister of Loneliness and Isolation in 2021. The following year, the government released an intensive plan of countermeasures including a 24\/7 consultation service and the expansion of counseling and social work programs. <\/p>\n
Other countries, including the United Kingdom, have similarly appointed ministers of loneliness. The United States Surgeon General warned of an \u201cepidemic of loneliness and isolation\u201d in a 2023 advisory, urging measures such as building stronger social infrastructure and regulating online platforms. <\/p>\n
Even the World Health Organization launched a commission to fight loneliness in 2023, calling it a \u201cpressing health threat.\u201d <\/p>\n
But An said she had \u201cdoubts about whether simply expanding physical connections will fundamentally solve the problem of loneliness \u2026 It\u2019s not something that can be easily changed by a single policy.\u201d <\/p>\n
Because there are complex, culturally-specific factors at play, a larger shift may be needed so individuals can \u201cdevelop the strength to be alone and face themselves,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to cultivate the ability to care for both ourselves and others. But our life in society is so tough, so it feels like we lack the time to even care for ourselves.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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