Increased but still at 60% of pre-COVID levels... "More volunteers needed"

At 60 Percent of Pre-COVID-19 Levels
Experts Call for Greater Social Attention

Kim Seong-min (31), who works in wallpapering, has been volunteering in the Dongja-dong gosiwon village in Yongsan-gu, Seoul for the past two years. He visits the gosiwon village 3 to 4 times a month at most, and at least 1 to 2 times. Kim said, "I started volunteering because I wanted to contribute to society while doing wallpaper work," adding, "I also gather people with similar intentions around me to do it regularly."

People from the Gas Technicians Association volunteering for environmental cleanup in Guro-gu, Seoul, and Kim Seong-min volunteering for wallpapering in the Dongja-dong shantytown in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd. Photo provided by the reader.

Recently, individual volunteer activities, which had been subdued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are becoming active again. However, the number of volunteers is still at 60% of the 2019 level, so more social interest is needed.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 14th, the cumulative number of volunteers has steadily increased from 13,643,514 in 2021 to 18,061,035 last year. The number of people who participated in volunteer activities at least once a year (actual number) increased from 1,863,308 to 2,183,741 during the same period.

The rate of volunteering experience was highest among people in their 20s, but the cumulative participation was 3,407,446, indicating fewer participation occasions relative to the rate. Park (27), an office worker, said, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many restrictions even if I wanted to volunteer," adding, "Since 2022, I have been volunteering with youth at a center in Gwanak-gu, Seoul." Park said, "I started volunteering lightly at first, but as I continued, I grew very fond of the children," and added, "I plan to continue volunteering steadily in the future."

University student Ahn Jung-won (25) said, "I have been active in the abandoned dog volunteer club ‘KUSA’ for two and a half years," adding, "At first, I joined simply because I liked dogs, but I kept doing it because I felt that my 3 to 4 hours were giving small help to the dogs and the surroundings." Ahn also said, "People who participate in volunteer activities are diverse, and it is common for some to start out of curiosity and continue for several years."

On the other hand, the cumulative number of volunteers in their 60s last year was overwhelmingly high at 4,599,657, and those in their 50s were 3,977,068. Lee Won-beom (50), who lives in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, said, "I have been volunteering with the Gas Technicians Association in Guro-gu, Seoul for two years, picking up trash on the streets or inspecting gas pipes in villas every second Saturday of the month," adding, "I have already volunteered for over 1,000 hours and have become the head." He said, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, only about 5 to 6 people could come, so the managers had a hard time," and added, "Now, up to 25 volunteers gather at times, which is really fortunate and appreciated."

Kim Seong-jin (54) has been volunteering in the local community for 15 years with members of the online cafe 'Cheongju Matjip Meotjip.' Every first Sunday of the month, they prepare meals, clean, and perform singing volunteer work for the elderly at nursing homes. He said, "Sometimes it is tough, but the sense of fulfillment is greater," and added, "I think I need to encourage members to participate more."

Professor Jegal Hyun-sook of the Department of Social Welfare at Hanshin University said, "Many people volunteer willingly, but students and public officials sometimes have to fulfill a set number of volunteer hours because it is part of their evaluation," adding, "It seems that the previous system has normalized as the COVID-19 pandemic has ended."

Professor Jung Ik-jung of the Department of Social Welfare at Ewha Womans University said, "The volunteer field was greatly subdued and faced manpower shortages due to COVID-19, so the increase in the number of volunteers is very welcome," and added, "Through more active promotion, volunteer activities need to be revitalized faster to the pre-pandemic level."