[Youth Isolation 24 Hours] Solving 540,000 Youth with 32 People? ... Budget, Manpower, and Research Severely Lacking

<5>Limits of Korea's Policy 3 Nos
②2 Nos: Lack of Available Resources Such as Budget, Personnel, and Research
Only 32 Dedicated Staff for Countermeasures
Government's Nationwide Budget Half of Seoul City's
Experts Point Out "Government Probably Didn't Know What to Do Either"

Editor's NoteWhen eating alone after work, having hundreds of contacts saved on your phone but no one to confide in when things get tough, or being unable to ask for help when sick or out of money... The young people in their 20s and 30s whom Asia Economy met confessed feeling isolated in such moments. Could this be your story? If you have thought that words like 'hikikomori' or 'eundunhyeong oettori' (reclusive social withdrawal) are stories from a different world, now is the time to properly reconsider isolation and withdrawal.

Although the government announced its first comprehensive measures for isolated and withdrawn youth last year and began promoting them, there are criticisms that the policies are still in their infancy. With an estimated 540,000 isolated and withdrawn youth nationwide, the budget and manpower allocated are grossly insufficient, and related research is also lacking, raising questions about the effectiveness of the policies.

Young people are unable to take their eyes off their phones even while walking on dark streets after work. Photo by Heo Younghan

Pilot Project Promoted but Budget of 1.3 Billion Won is 'Half of Seoul City's'

The government's flagship policy under the comprehensive measures is the establishment of Youth Future Centers. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the main department in charge, plans to set up Youth Future Centers in four metropolitan local governments as a pilot project for isolated and withdrawn youth for two years, then expand nationwide. Each of the four centers will have 32 dedicated staff members for isolated and withdrawn youth. The total budget is 1.3 billion won, half of which will be used for personnel expenses.

On the ground, voices are raised that the budget and manpower allocated to this project, which is supposed to be the first step in addressing isolated and withdrawn youth, are insufficient. Although it is a pilot project, installing centers in only 4 out of 17 metropolitan local governments means that isolated and withdrawn youth in other regions will likely find it difficult to access these centers for help. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's estimate, the total number of isolated and withdrawn youth supported by the four centers is 320, which is only 0.06% of the 540,000 youth classified as isolated and withdrawn nationwide.

The government's budget for establishing centers shows a large gap compared to local governments. Seoul City is supporting the establishment of a dedicated center for isolated and withdrawn youth, the 'Seoul Youth Stretch Center,' with 2.6 billion won this year. This is about twice the government's support and an increase from 1.5 billion won last year. Seoul aims to support 800 isolated and withdrawn youth. Considering that a year ago, 1,000 youth applied but after excluding those who relapsed into isolation or withdrawal, 550 participated, the target was raised. Additionally, with the Lifeline Comprehensive Social Welfare Center participating as a private entrusted institution and cooperation with 11 district welfare centers and 16 Seoul Youth Centers, the number of beneficiaries is expected to increase significantly.

Given this situation, some argue that considering the government's limited budget, it would have been more appropriate to support existing institutions that have been implementing related policies rather than establishing Youth Future Centers as hubs. Professor Choi Young-jun of Yonsei University's Department of Public Administration said, "The government may have allocated a small budget because it lacks experience and does not know what to do," adding, "It might have been one approach to use part of the 1.3 billion won to support existing private institutions, evaluate them, and use the rest for government projects."

Insufficient Research, No Data... On-site 'Counseling Causes More Harm' Mismatch

Experts point out that the government's passive approach to policies on isolated and withdrawn youth stems from "insufficient research and lack of accumulated data." To identify what support policies isolated and withdrawn youth need and to efficiently use limited budgets to solve the situation, related research and data are essential.

The problem is that government-level research on isolated and withdrawn youth has been limited, and many studies have been conducted independently by local governments or private institutions, resulting in the absence of a central agency to comprehensively manage and accumulate data. Also, differences in target selection and research methodologies mean that the current number of isolated and withdrawn youth nationwide cannot be accurately counted. The figure of 540,000 announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare last year is an estimate calculated by applying the 5% rate of isolated and withdrawn youth nationwide in 2021 to the total youth population, so its accuracy is low.

Most of the old gosiwons in Sillim-dong, Seoul have been rebuilt as studio apartment buildings, filling the streets densely. Photo by Heo Young-han

However, the lack of research on isolated and withdrawn youth is not unique to Korea, according to academia. Globally, research on isolation and withdrawal has focused more on the elderly rather than youth. The pandemic has brought attention to youth isolation and withdrawal not only in Korea but also in the US, Europe, and elsewhere, but due to a lack of related research and data, governments in other countries have also been slow to develop policies.

Experts emphasize the need to secure research and data while also training professionals to support isolated and withdrawn youth on the ground. There are cases where vulnerable youth receive counseling but end up hurt by the counselor, worsening their isolation and withdrawal. Considering the characteristics of isolated and withdrawn youth who blame themselves and have difficulty relating to others, it is important to train professionals who can communicate appropriately and provide delicate support in the field.

Park Dae-ryeong, director of Imi Areumdawoon Dangsin, which supports isolated and withdrawn youth, said, "Many youth become isolated and withdrawn after being hurt by experts. The lack of ability and level of professionals in Korea is a serious problem that is not well recognized," emphasizing, "Since this is the part that can improve youth isolation and withdrawal most quickly in quality, the government should invest budget in expert education."

Kim Seong-ah, associate researcher at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, said regarding data, research, and manpower, "This is a task that requires a long time," advising, "Rather than pouring a large budget in a short period, it is better to set a 5-10 year mid- to long-term vision and steadily invest a certain scale of budget accordingly." She added, "Even if the government changes and policy directions shift, efforts to independently allocate budget and administrative power should follow."

For now, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, which took the first step in preparing measures, emphasized the significance of framing the issue of isolated and withdrawn youth, previously considered a personal problem, as a social issue. An official from the office said, "This issue was first raised last year," adding, "Since it is an early stage of policy, we need to watch the specific outcomes and effects over time."

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If You Want to Read 'Youth Isolation 24 Hours' Articles

<1>Youth Isolated and Withdrawn People Asia Economy Met
① I am a 28-year-old isolated youth... "A being who cannot fulfill a single role"
② Isolation caused by employment... A day spent without saying a word all day
③ Harder than parenting is having 'no one to talk to'... That's how depression came
④ Eating instant rice and ramen for 3 years and playing games all day... Emotional instability worsens eventually

<2>2024 Isolation Awareness Survey
① 6 out of 10 say "I feel lonely"... Complaining of pain from relationship breakdown and deprivation
② "Feeling alone at work"... 1 in 2 office workers say "Isolation worsened"

<3>Isolated and Withdrawn Youth Seen from the Side
① 'Corona class' is at risk... This year's flood of counseling calls
② Traces left at the end of isolation... "I want to see mom and dad, I'm sorry"

<4>Reasons for Isolation and Social Costs
① No job, no friends... Only a smartphone in hand
② Economic loss over 11 trillion won... If neglected, the nation will also 'shake'

<5>Limitations of Korea's Policy with Three No's
① No control tower and 213 local ordinances 'all over the place'
② Solving 540,000 isolated and withdrawn youth with 32 people?…Severe shortage of budget, manpower, and research
③ Bitter end of copying Japan... Youth calling for Korea-style policies