On January 15, Gwangju Dong-gu District announced that it will operate a “Focused Discovery Period for Isolated and Reclusive Residents” until January 30, aiming to proactively identify and support households experiencing social isolation and individuals who are reclusive.
The core strategy of this focused discovery effort is the active use of the “automobile tax advance payment notice,” a medium that residents are highly aware of, as a promotional tool. Dong-gu plans to utilize the delivery process of these notices to detect at-risk households who have remained outside the existing welfare system at an early stage and to raise social awareness about the issues of isolation and reclusion.
Dong-gu has included guidance and reporting instructions for discovering isolated and reclusive residents in approximately 60,000 automobile tax advance payment notices being sent out in January. This goes beyond a simple tax notification, serving as a practical and innovative outreach method to directly connect with households in administrative blind spots that are difficult to reach through standard public services.
Generally, “reclusive individuals” refers to people who remain in confined spaces such as their home or room and have maintained a state of social isolation from the outside world for more than three months. Dong-gu has made various efforts to assist these individuals, including operating tailored programs and strengthening cooperation with related organizations.
In particular, customized programs for reclusive individuals operated in the first and second half of last year received high satisfaction from participants. Dong-gu has also established a close cooperation system with the Gwangju Metropolitan City Support Center for Reclusive Individuals, ensuring that those identified can quickly receive tailored services such as professional psychological counseling and employment support.
Based on the cases reported during this focused discovery period, Dong-gu plans to conduct home visits and field surveys, and will promptly take follow-up measures if emergency welfare support is needed. Through these efforts, the district aims to alleviate isolation among at-risk households at an early stage and support their recovery and self-reliance within the community.
A Dong-gu official stated, “Isolation and reclusion are urgent social challenges that go beyond individual problems and must be addressed collectively by our community. By utilizing the automobile tax notice as a practical outreach medium, we will ensure that not a single resident is left behind, and we will continue to implement effective policies so that these individuals can return to society and reconnect with their neighbors.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
