'Measures to Prevent Solitary Deaths of National Merit Recipients'... Expanding Management Target to 8,500 People

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will increase the number of national merit recipients targeted for solitary death prevention management to around 8,500.

On the 2nd, the Ministry announced that it will establish and implement a ‘Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention of Solitary Deaths among National Merit Recipients’ to prevent social isolation and solitary deaths among vulnerable national merit recipients.

According to the Ministry, there are currently about 157,000 single-person households of national merit recipients, among which approximately 6,600 are aged 65 or older, belong to vulnerable groups, and have not received veterans care services.

Accordingly, the Ministry will first expand the management targets for national merit recipients at risk of solitary death and refine the risk group classification system. The solitary death prevention management targets will be expanded from those aged 65 and older to all age groups, including single-person households, vulnerable groups, and those who have not received veterans care services. In this case, the number of management targets will increase from about 6,600 to around 8,500.

In particular, starting in April, the Ministry plans to conduct a full survey of these approximately 8,500 national merit recipients, considering characteristics such as degree of disability, war trauma, and social relationships including the use of veterans centers. They will be classified into four levels?high-risk, medium-risk, low-risk, and suspected groups?to provide tailored services. Previously, there were three levels: high-risk, risk, and suspected groups.

Stepwise, customized solitary death prevention services using the latest information and communication technology (ICT) will also be supported. Especially for the high-risk group, along with the existing artificial intelligence (AI) check-in calls, a pilot project using the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time check-in will be operated for the first time this year.

This involves monitoring power consumption information (smart plugs) when using home appliances such as TVs, or attaching sensors (door open sensors) to entrances, bathrooms, refrigerators, etc., to check real-time status through door opening information. Private companies such as Qualcomm Inc. and Rookies Inc. are participating in the pilot project as part of ‘Everyone’s Veterans’ for national merit recipients.

The medium-risk group will verify their status through AI check-in services and collaborate with private organizations such as the Briquette Bank to deliver meals and provide dining support to prevent solitary deaths. Additionally, the low-risk and suspected groups will have various cultural programs operated in local veterans centers in cooperation with private institutions to foster everyday social networks and emotional stability. Notably, the high-risk group can use all services provided to the medium- and low-risk and suspected groups, and the medium-risk group can use services provided to the low-risk and suspected groups.

During periods when outdoor activities are difficult, such as extreme cold or heat, 27 local veterans offices will visit the homes of high- and medium-risk national merit recipients to check on their heating/cooling conditions and health, and provide seasonal supplies such as blankets and fans in cooperation with private sectors.

Legal and institutional foundations for the prevention of solitary deaths among national merit recipients will also be established. Based on the 2024 research project on ‘Prevention and Management Measures for Solitary Deaths among National Merit Recipients’ and opinions from the Veterans Welfare Future Forum, support will be provided for 27 local veterans offices and regional private organizations to develop public-private cooperation models suited to local conditions. At the same time, amendments to six laws, including the National Veterans Act, necessary for the establishment and implementation of national merit solitary death prevention policies will be pursued.

Kang Jeong-ae, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, stated, “The welfare environment for veterans is continuously changing due to the aging of national merit recipients and the increase in single-person households, leading to issues such as solitary deaths.” She added, “This ‘National Merit Solitary Death Prevention Measure’ will carefully address these changes to eliminate blind spots in veterans welfare and provide a higher level of welfare services to those who have devoted themselves to the nation.”