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In response to the widespread feelings of loneliness exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea is launching a "Cultural Discourse Project" to address and heal loneliness through culture, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday. This initiative aims to utilize cultural engagement as a means to alleviate loneliness and foster social connection among citizens.

According to the culture ministry's survey from last year, seven out of 10 Koreans reported feeling lonely regularly, indicating that loneliness is becoming increasingly commonplace.

A poster for a cultural event aimed at overcoming loneliness and isolation, which will be held in Seoul's Seongsu-dong on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 / Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The ministry added that if loneliness is left unaddressed, it can lead not only to emotional depression but also to social isolation and withdrawal. Research shows that the social cost for around 340,000 young people who are isolated or in withdrawal amounts to about 7.5 trillion won ($5.4 billion) annually, indicating that society needs to make policy efforts to solve this problem together.

The ministry viewed culture as a potential solution to this issue and diagnosed that the positive power of cultural content could increase citizens' happiness.

"The ministry is focusing on making cultural policies that can present alternatives and practical solutions to social problems," Culture Minister Yu In-chon said in a statement. "We will utilize the positive power of culture to increase citizens' happiness and life satisfaction in solving various problems facing the society."

As its first step, the ministry plans to provide relationship-building experiences through arts and humanities via the Cultural Discourse Project, spreading awareness about the importance of connecting with others to reduce loneliness.

On Wednesday, the National Library of Korea will hold a "Mind Walking" event where poets will recite literary works, with a lecture from someone who experienced social withdrawal. Along with this, the event will serve as a space where people feeling isolated can communicate with each other.

In December, experts from various fields, including psychology, humanities and religion, will gather to discuss the role of cultural policy in the age of loneliness. The ministry will open a pop-up space in Seongsu-dong in eastern Seoul on Dec. 20 and 21, hosting talk concerts and workshops on overcoming loneliness and isolation, and cultural prescription programs using music and art.

It will pilot a "Humanities Train" program that connects people's hearts through humanities content while experiencing the local atmosphere in regions such as Uljin, Andong and Yeongju, all in North Gyeongsang province.

Performances and lectures supporting middle-aged people in overcoming loneliness will also be held at six middle-aged cultural spaces nationwide, and the Gwangju Independent Film Theater will host a documentary film festival themed around loneliness, the ministry said, adding that these kinds of events will be continued in the following year.