In South Korea, the government has been struggling with the problem of young individuals living in isolation for the past decade. These individuals, known as “reclusive lonely young people,” make up about 3.1% of those aged 19 to 39. Due to various factors such as financial difficulties, mental health issues, family problems, or health challenges, they are disconnected from the outside world and live in a state of isolation.
Initially, the government attempted to address this problem by implementing the “Youth Welfare Support Act.” However, a critical evaluation of the law and related policies shows that there are several shortcomings. The focus of youth policies remains mainly centered on job and employment support. However, even the available employment programs struggle to adapt to societal changes, leaving a gap in effectively aiding these isolated individuals.
One significant concern is the lack of specificity in the law regarding how to support different groups of young people adequately. The author acknowledges that as the law transitioned from a draft to reality, there has been insufficient follow-up and oversight of the situation. The inherent nature of a basic law necessitates that the finer details be filled in by political actions, which have not sufficiently materialized. Furthermore, the issue of youth poverty is complex and multifaceted.
Poverty is not limited to those who are unemployed or struggling to make ends meet. Nowadays, even employed young people face poverty due to various economic challenges. This is a new perspective and differs from the traditional belief that young people can overcome financial difficulties with their youthfulness and good health. Recent statistics show that the poverty rate among single-person youth households has increased significantly, challenging the notion that youth poverty is just a temporary phase. Unfortunately, this issue has not received enough policy attention compared to other vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and disabled. Local university students in South Korea face unique challenges, including declining populations, an oversaturation of universities in Seoul, potential school closures, and limited job opportunities. However, they tend to adopt a “reflective passivity” approach, assuming that competing in a hyper-competitive society, particularly in Seoul and the metropolitan area, would inevitably lead to failure.
The challenges faced by South Korea in addressing the issues of isolated young individuals bring to light the necessity of a comprehensive and adaptable approach to youth policies. Although the “Youth Welfare Support Act” aimed to tackle this problem, it fails to address the intricate realities faced by the present-day youth, including those who come from working-poor backgrounds and those pursuing education in local universities. To tackle the diverse challenges and vulnerabilities that young people face in modern-day South Korean society, a more nuanced and inclusive approach is needed.
1. https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/14/asia/south-korea-youth-recluse-stipend-intl-hnk/index.html
2. https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/1053055.html
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4. https://www.si.re.kr/node/66284
5. https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=5563414