[JACK AYLMER]

South Korea has a loneliness problem. And to combat it, its capital city Seoul is set to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to become what it calls a “city without loneliness.”

South Korea reported over three thousand loneliness deaths last year. It’s a classification they use to describe deaths from illness or suicide of people who live their lives cut off from society.

Seoul is ready to spend about $327 million dollars over the next five years to combat the issue. The city will set up a 24/7 hotline staffed with counselors, as well as in-person meetings to help those vulnerable to loneliness form community.

Seoul can be pretty lonely. About 40 percent of households in the city have one person in them.

The top official of the city government’s Care and Loneliness Policy Bureau told ABC News that they are planning to bring in private businesses like laundromats and convenience stores. They’re hoping that if they can find the loneliest people in the public spaces where they do appear could help the city reach people at risk.

Loneliness is a global issue, and one that public health officials have more actively recognized in recent years.

Last year, the World Health Organization announced a commission to explore the importance of social connections. They say loneliness can raise the risk of poor health outcomes like stroke, dementia, depression and suicide.

For Straight Arrow News, I’m Jack Aylmer.

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