"Isolation Is a Challenge for Society as a Whole"... Law Firm Public Interest Network Holds 'Single-Person Household Support' Roundtable

The Law Firm Public Interest Network, a coalition of 12 domestic law firms, announced on the 27th that it had successfully concluded the "2025 First Half Law Firm Public Interest Network Roundtable."

The Law Firm Public Interest Network is taking a commemorative photo after concluding the "2025 First Half Roundtable" held on the 26th in the conference room of Kim & Chang Law Office. Provided by the Law Firm Public Interest Network

On the 26th, the Law Firm Public Interest Network held an event at the Crescendo Building of Kim & Chang Law Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, under the theme "Single-Person Households: Isolated and Reclusive Youth, Vulnerable Seniors Living in Gosiwon Districts, and Other At-Risk Elderly." The roundtable was organized to examine the increasing forms and current support status of single-person households, identify issues, and seek solutions.

Kim So-young, a former Supreme Court Justice and current attorney at Kim & Chang Law Office, stated in her opening remarks, "Among the growing number of single-person households, there is a pressing need for social attention and support for youth in isolation or reclusion and for vulnerable seniors," adding, "I hope this roundtable serves as an opportunity to seek practical solutions."

Choi Hongil, a researcher at the National Youth Policy Institute, then presented on the current situation of isolated and reclusive youth. According to a 2023 social survey, the proportion of socially isolated youth stands at 5.2%, amounting to approximately 140,000 individuals. Dr. Choi explained, "About 40% of isolated and reclusive youth experience repeated isolation or reclusion, and 62.5% of them have reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, indicating serious mental health issues." He emphasized the need for regular assessments to prevent risk factors in advance, as well as for strengthened phased support and monitoring from childhood and adolescence through young adulthood.

The status and challenges of support for vulnerable seniors were addressed by Father Baek Junho of the Hansarang Family Community and Park Minseon, director of Open Door. Father Baek first noted, "Many among the extremely poor are either unaware of national welfare systems or have diminished psychological motivation," adding, "The community acts as a bridge between the extremely poor and public institutions." Director Park stated, "Through the 'Single-Person Household Continuous Forum' ongoing since 2022, we have collected 135 policy proposals and submitted them to the National Assembly," and added, "Through the Gangnam-gu Home-Based Senior Welfare Agency, we provide daily meal and emotional support to 130 elderly individuals."

The Law Firm Public Interest Network plans to expand its public interest activities in various directions, including increasing legal service support, policy improvement initiatives, strengthening public-private cooperation, and raising social awareness, based on the outcomes of this roundtable.

A representative of the Law Firm Public Interest Network stated, "A systematic and continuous social response is needed to address the issues of isolated and reclusive youth, estimated at 129,000 in Seoul alone, as well as the growing number of elderly living alone."