The district of Jung-gu in Incheon has launched a mobile application aimed at preventing isolated deaths among its growing population of single-person households. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – The district of Jung-gu in Incheon has launched a mobile application aimed at preventing isolated deaths among its growing population of single-person households, officials announced on Tuesday.
The “Safe eJung-gu” app is designed to automatically send emergency text message alerts to pre-registered guardians if the user, deemed at high risk of dying alone, fails to use their mobile phone for a specified period.
The alerts will include location data obtained through GPS to enable rapid response by guardians.
The free app can be downloaded by searching for “Safe eJung-gu” on the Google Play Store or One Store.
As of last month, Jung-gu had 40,027 single-person households out of a total 81,243 – nearly 50 percent of all households in the area.
“We developed this app for the safety of vulnerable groups like elderly individuals living alone or other single-person households who face higher risks of isolated deaths,” a Jung-gu official said. Officials plan to guide all at-risk single-person households without family through the installation process at local community centers by year’s end.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
