#An 85-year-old man, A, living in Dongnae District, has mobility issues and suffers from chronic diseases. He lives alone without family. Last year, Dongnae District selected A as a subject for the 'well-being check postal service project.' One day, a mail carrier discovered A's deteriorating health and transported him to the hospital. After successful treatment, A received support through visiting nursing services and housing improvement projects even after being discharged.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Korea Post, and local governments announced on the 14th that they will implement the 'well-being check postal service project' to prevent risk factors for isolated households.
The 'well-being check postal service project' is a program where postal workers identify socially isolated households in the community in advance and connect them with welfare services to prevent the risk of lonely deaths. Last year, a total of 222 instances of the well-being check service pilot project were conducted in 15 local governments, and this year it will be expanded to 31 local governments.
The selected 31 local governments are ▲Seoul (Gangnam District) ▲Busan (Dongnae District, Gangseo District, Sasang District, Seo District, Gijang County) ▲Daegu (Dong District) ▲Daejeon (Jung District) ▲Ulsan (Ulj County) ▲Gyeonggi (Dongducheon City) ▲Gangwon (Gangneung City, Yeongwol County) ▲Chungbuk (Cheongju City, Okcheon County) ▲Chungnam (Geumsan County) ▲Jeonbuk (Namwon City, Iksan City, Jangsu County) ▲Jeonnam (Gangjin County, Haenam County, Jangheung County) ▲Gyeongbuk (Gumi City, Andong City, Goryeong County, Seongju County, Uiseong County) ▲Gyeongnam (Geochang County, Goseong County, Sancheong County, Changnyeong County, Hamyang County), etc.
These local governments will select households that are primarily focused on middle-aged single-person households, isolated youths, and grandparent-grandchild households, and deliver daily necessities through postal workers on a weekly to four-week basis. During this process, the postal workers will assess living conditions and assist in ensuring access to welfare services swiftly in case of crisis situations.