This undated file photo shows a man shopping alone at a supermarket. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — The government plans to expand support for single-person households.
The Ministry of Gender and Equality said Tuesday that it will begin a new project for community-building among single-person households as problems of isolation or depression are rising as a social issue.
Individuals living alone will now be able to access various programs at family centers in all 12 regions across the country, including psychological counseling and others.
The government will host self-help seminars and exchange gatherings for younger people living alone, a mutual caring program for the middle-aged, and psychological counseling and senior life preparation seminar for seniors.
“The country’s first survey of single-person households last year showed different needs by region, gender, and age,” said a government official. “We will provide various programs that will cater to each of these needs.”
A survey conducted of some 4,000 households (9,472 people) showed that single-person households accounted for 33.3 percent of the total.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
