Jongno-gu Expands Welfare Information Communication Service Sodamtok (Sosikdameuntok) to 17 Neighborhoods

Providing Welfare Information to 2030 Generation Basic Livelihood Security and Near-Poverty Groups...Easy Consultation with Welfare Planners Available

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) will expand the use of Sodamtok (Sosik Dameun Tok), a welfare information and counseling service utilizing KakaoTalk, to 17 neighborhoods within the district starting in May.

This service was first launched in April at the Sungin 2-dong Community Center. It began after the death and discovery of a 30-year-old basic livelihood security recipient who had refused visits and only accepted phone consultations.

Despite being welfare recipients such as basic livelihood security and near-poverty class, many young people in their 20s and 30s often refuse visits or phone calls due to personal privacy reasons.

As a result, communication becomes difficult, and they often fail to receive welfare services in a timely manner or are overlooked.

During April, Sungin 2-dong provided 18 pieces of information and 7 simple consultations to 18 recipients. Notably, a young recipient who had been avoiding contact requested counseling, enabling the provision of welfare services such as self-support assistance.

The district selected the Sungin 2-dong Sodamtok as an exemplary case in the solitary death prevention project and will expand it to all neighborhoods.

After obtaining prior consent for the service, individual chat rooms are created to regularly provide customized welfare information. If recipients have inquiries, they can also receive simple counseling from welfare planners.

At the same time, the receipt of regular messages is confirmed to prevent youth solitary deaths and minimize monitoring gaps.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “Young people are sensitive to social views and personal information, making them vulnerable to welfare blind spots,” adding, “We will strive to prevent tragic incidents like solitary deaths from happening again through tailored information provision and consistent monitoring.”