[2023 National Audit] "250,000 Reclusive Youths, Social Costs Up to 375 Trillion Won"

"Reclusive Youth Should Be Considered a Socially Vulnerable Group"

The number of reclusive youth (young people living in confined spaces) in South Korea reaches 250,000, and it has been pointed out that the social costs incurred for them could amount to as much as 375 trillion won.

According to data submitted on the 10th by the Office for Government Policy Coordination to Song Seok-jun, a member of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee from the People Power Party, the estimated number of reclusive youth living in confined spaces is 247,000.

Song Seok-jun, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The reasons for reclusion were found to be 35% due to employment difficulties, 10% due to interpersonal relationship difficulties, and 7.9% due to dropping out of school, in that order.

In 2022, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs announced an estimate that the social cost per person who started reclusion at age 25 is about 1.5 billion won, and Song estimated that multiplying the number of reclusive youth, 250,000, by the social cost per individual results in a maximum of 375 trillion won.

Song emphasized, "We need to regard reclusive youth as a new socially vulnerable group and establish a systematic and customized social reintegration system for them."