The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 19th that it has awarded ministerial commendations to 23 local governments that took the lead in addressing welfare blind spots during the past winter. Local governments that implemented region-specific measures, such as Nam-gu in Daegu, which provided health drinks to individuals at risk of dying alone, and Dong-gu in Gwangju, which supported public bathhouse coupons for residents of jjokbangchon (makeshift room villages), were among those honored.
On the morning of the 18th, when the severe cold wave arrived, a resident is huddling against the cold in the alley of Donuidong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
This commendation was awarded to local governments that actively identified households in crisis and promoted various support measures through public-private cooperation, in line with the "Winter Welfare Crisis Household Identification and Support Plan" announced by the Ministry in November 2023.
Nam-gu in Daegu Metropolitan City implemented the "Recharge Your Heart in Nam-gu" project, delivering health drinks three times a week to single-person households at high risk of dying alone, while also conducting regular welfare checks. Additionally, a dedicated team called "Isung Sajadan" was formed to support socially isolated households by cleaning up waste, improving living environments, and helping restore social relationships.
Dong-gu in Gwangju Metropolitan City launched the "Climate Shelter (Bathhouse) Coupon Support Project" for jjokbangchon residents vulnerable to climate change. By providing coupons that allowed residents living in poor housing conditions to freely use bathhouses, the project addressed safety and hygiene issues and ensured their well-being during winter cold waves. The initiative also fostered mutual growth with local small businesses through collaboration with local bathhouse operators.
In addition, Nam-gu in Ulsan is operating the "Hope ONna" project, which issues meal cards in partnership with CU convenience stores and monitors isolated households in real time based on card usage data. Yeongwol-gun in Gangwon Province organized the "On-dongne 447" welfare discovery team, which includes youth participation, to expand community-based welfare services. Haenam-gun in Jeollanam-do is preventing solitary deaths among low-income vulnerable groups by checking in on them at least once a week through the "One-Minute Call of Love" project.
Bae Kyungtaek, Director of Welfare Policy at the Ministry, stated, "Thanks to the attentive care and efforts of local governments and community residents, many households in welfare crisis were able to get through the past winter safely." He added, "We hope that this recognition will help spread these outstanding cases nationwide and further promote efforts to eliminate welfare blind spots."
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