Kim Young-sun, a member of the Gwangsan District Council in Gwangju Metropolitan City (Democratic Party, Suwan-dong, Hanam-dong, Imgok-dong), proposed the "Gwangsan-gu Support Ordinance for Reclusive Hikikomori," which passed the Economic Welfare Committee review at the 287th Gwangsan District Council extraordinary session on the 20th.
'Reclusive Hikikomori' refers to individuals who live in a limited personal space for an extended period, experiencing social disconnection that makes social activities difficult. Recently, this phenomenon has increased not only among the youth but also among middle-aged and older adults, emerging as a new type of welfare blind spot.
This ordinance was prepared to support reclusive hikikomori in growing and reintegrating as healthy members of society, including provisions for establishing basic plans, support projects, and building cooperative systems.
First, local governments are required to establish a basic plan every five years to prevent social discrimination and prejudice against reclusive hikikomori and to implement various support projects to aid their social adaptation.
Support projects include ▲discovery and counseling of reclusive hikikomori ▲related surveys and research ▲education and vocational training for independence ▲counseling for forming social relationships ▲family counseling, among others.
Additionally, the ordinance provides a basis for establishing cooperative systems among central administrative agencies, local governments, and related institutions and organizations to implement support policies.
Councilor Kim Young-sun stated, "We should not view the issue of reclusive hikikomori merely as an individual problem or a phenomenon of the times but empathize and actively accept it at the community level. Through this ordinance, I hope it becomes a good guide for them to embrace courage and hope instead of seclusion and isolation and to become independent, healthy members of society."
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