◀ Anchor ▶
Young people who are confined to their homes or rooms and do not come out and live in isolation and seclusion are called ‘reclusive loners’.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government conducted a large-scale fact-finding survey for the first time.
It was found that 4.5 percent of the total, or 130,000 people, are living in seclusion.
Reporter Lee Dong-kyung covered the story.
◀ Report ▶
She puts a blanket in the washing machine and puts sausages on a frying pan to make stir-fries.
This is the daily life of a 28-year-old surnamed Kim who dreams of becoming a chef.
However, until last year, Mr. Kim did not come out of the room, let alone the house.
After quitting work 4 years ago due to illness, he lost confidence and took on the life of a ‘reclusive loner’.
[김 모 씨 (28살)]
“I also felt a sense of disappointment in myself, so I almost stayed in my room. (At one time) the longest period I didn’t go out was about two weeks. I didn’t know how to solve it, so I felt helpless…”
Lee Dong-ha, who suffered from social avoidance due to school violence and suffered from chronic convulsions, did not leave the house for over six months at one time.
[이동하 (21살)]
“Because I was only in my room, I felt very depressed. Now, I should have been to the hospital and taken medicine, but I couldn’t do that…”
As a result of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s survey, it was found that 4.5% or 129,000 young people took up a life of isolation and seclusion in Seoul alone.
‘Unemployment or difficulty in finding a job’ was the most common at 45%, and ‘psychological and mental difficulties’ and ‘interpersonal difficulties’ also reached 40% each.
They were also in poor health.
43.2% answered ‘bad’ about their physical health, which was three times higher than that of general youth, and 18.5% of young adults who were taking mental health-related medications were more than double the general rate.
[김옥란/은둔·고립청년 지원센터장]
“Because I haven’t done any exercise, I’m overweight or too skinny, and my eating habits are irregular, so my sleep is irregular…”
What they needed most was ‘economic support’, but they also had a great desire for daily recovery, such as ‘hobbies/exercises/jobs/study opportunities’.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it would operate mental health-related facilities for isolated and secluded young people within March and plan support programs beyond simple counseling.
This is Lee Dong-gyeong of MBC News.
Video coverage: Son Ji-yoon / Video editing: Lee Hye-ji
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