The province’s Safety Service app costs only 2,800 won (US$2.40) per month for an IP phone installed at local government offices, so anyone in the province can receive the service if they simply download the app. (image: South Gyeongsang Provincial Government)
CHANGWON, Jan. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — South Gyeongsang Provincial Government has announced plans to distribute a safety service app to prevent solitary death for those who live alone.
The app is an expanded and revised version of the app developed by Hapcheon County that can be used by all residents.
The “Hapcheon Safety Service App” was developed in September of last year to prevent so-called ‘lonely death’ for those living alone, including elderly people, disabled people, low-income families, students and weekend couples living apart from their families.
Currently, the central government and local governments are also pushing for various policies, including a project to detect human movement through IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, in order to prevent the solitary death.
However, due to excessive installation and operation costs, most citizens have not have been able to enjoy access to welfare services.
On the other hand, the province’s Safety Service app costs only 2,800 won (US$2.40) per month for an IP phone installed at local government offices, so anyone in the province can receive the service if they simply download the app.
In addition, there is no risk of personal information exposure as there is no need for a separate server to operate the app.
In particular, one can store contact information of loved ones. If one is in trouble, including kidnapping, disappearance and other crimes, or at risk of dying alone, one can simply yell out the name of a loved one.
Hapcheon County, where the app was developed, has already installed IP phones, which allow single-person households in the region to receive relief text messages, in all areas, strengthening the protection system for the vulnerable.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
