[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] It has been revealed that 89 calls and text messages were received within two days after Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon opened a hotline as part of comprehensive measures regarding the 'Suwon Three Mothers' incident.
According to Gyeonggi Province on the 26th, the province has been conducting consultations via phone and text through a temporary hotline (010-4419-7722) since the 25th, until an official hotline is established to help residents experiencing financial difficulties.
On the first day of opening, the 25th, 65 cases were received, and on the second day, the 26th, as of 1 p.m., 24 cases were received, totaling 89 calls and text messages.
Of the 65 cases on the first day, excluding 16 cases of call disconnections and catch calls (call waiting text notifications), 49 cases were received. Among these, 19 were phone calls and 30 were text messages. Consultations related to welfare included 10 phone calls and 5 text messages, with the rest being other civil complaints.
In an actual case, Mr. A, in his 60s living in Siheung City, said, "I am taking care of my 80-year-old mother who cannot move after surgery for a leg fracture. I cannot work due to nursing my mother, and rent and medical insurance fees are overdue," and requested support, saying, "It is very difficult, and I want to consult if I can receive help."
The province immediately forwarded the case to the welfare officer at the Siheung City Administrative Welfare Center and requested cooperation for case management.
The Siheung City Administrative Welfare Center contacted Mr. A on the 26th, and that morning, Mr. A visited the center in person to receive emergency support (living expenses and medical expenses) and an application form for housing benefit support (rent assistance).
Siheung City plans to review the possibility of support immediately upon receipt of the documents.
Also, Mr. B, living in Hwaseong City, complained, "My husband is a terminal cancer patient, and I also have a rare disease, so I cannot hold a proper job and live on minimum wage. I tried to apply for the near-poverty class, but was told I could not because I own a villa in my name," adding, "However, I sold the villa two years ago and returned the deposit, so I have nothing left. Life is difficult due to my husband's hospital bills."
The province first provided guidance on the application conditions and methods for Gyeonggi Province-type emergency welfare, then connected the complainant to the welfare officer at the township office of their residence.
The province plans to operate the temporary hotline until early September, then assign welfare and health officials to provide more professional consultations by operating an emergency welfare dedicated call center linked with the existing 120 Gyeonggi Call Center.
A provincial official said, "In addition to complainants directly consulting about their difficulties, many suggestions about welfare policies and messages supporting Gyeonggi Province have also been received," adding, "We will do our best to make the hotline a system where residents in despair due to financial difficulties can make their last request for help."
Earlier, on the 25th, Governor Kim Dong-yeon disclosed the temporary hotline number (010-4419-7722) through his social networking service (SNS), saying, "Welfare is not charity but a right. Please do not hesitate to contact the hotline."
Governor Kim personally monitors the calls and text consultations and the measures taken through the temporary hotline every day.
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