Jeon Nam-do Councilor Choi Seon-guk Points Out 'Inadequate Management of Welfare Blind Spots'

Choi Seon-guk, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Criticism has been raised regarding the insufficiency of welfare service support and follow-up management in Jeonnam Province.

Choi Seon-guk, Chair of the Health, Welfare, and Environment Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Mokpo 1), pointed out at a recent administrative audit of the Health and Welfare Bureau, “The Suwon three mothers incident occurred among non-targeted individuals in the welfare blind spot detection system,” adding, “In Jeonnam Province, the number of cases processed as non-targets due to vacant houses, moving, or loss of contact is increasing.”

According to the welfare blind spot detection system data submitted by Chair Choi on the 8th, the number of non-targeted cases confirmed was 2,681 in 2018, 9,020 in 2019, and 11,514 in 2021, showing a rapid increase.

Chair Choi emphasized, “According to data from the Social Security Information Service submitted by National Assembly member Choi Hye-young, Jeonnam had 6,771 individuals repeatedly detected two or more times as of last year,” adding, “This accounts for 17.1% of the total 39,592 detected individuals, ranking second highest among metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide.”

He continued, “Among 6,311 cases in Gangjin County, 789 cases (12.5%) were confirmed as unprocessed, followed by Yeonggwang County (4.15%), Sinan County (3.87%), and Suncheon City (3.28%).”

Furthermore, he demanded improvements, stating, “Looking at the status of dedicated organizations for veterans and local welfare by city and province in Jeonnam, only two public officials in the local veterans team are responsible for responding to welfare crises.”

He argued, “Jeonnam has higher rates of basic livelihood security recipients, medical aid recipients, and registered disabled persons compared to the national average,” adding, “Especially given the significantly high elderly population, it is necessary to reduce the unprocessed rate and strengthen follow-up management for non-targeted individuals to resolve welfare blind spots.”