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| Lee Ki-il, the first vice minister of health and welfare, announces the ministry's masterplan to prevent people from dying along at Seoul Government Complex, Thursday. Yonhap |
By Ko Dong-hwan
Defying an assumption in Korea that elderly people are at higher risk of dying alone, a recent government survey showed the age group harboring the highest risk might be those in their 50s.
The finding was announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Thursday alongside a set of preventive measures to stop "lonely deaths" in the country.
Based on the survey result conducted last November to December, the ministry concluded that there might be over 1.52 million people nationwide at a comparatively higher risk of dying alone. That is 3 percent of the country's entire population and 21.3 percent of the total single-person households in Korea.
The ministry said Thursday that whereas people in their 70s or older showed the highest chances of fatality, those in their 50s topped the risk of dying alone with almost 34 percent. They were followed by those in their 60s with 30.2 percent and those in their 40s with 25.8 percent.
The high-risk age groups are not engaged in health management and household chores and have higher chances of losing their jobs or getting divorced, the ministry said.
Lonely deaths have long been a social issue here, not just arousing public sympathy for the deceased but also alarming the public when their neighbors go unusually quiet, out of fear they could be lying dead and unnoticed.
In the latest survey, the ministry surveyed over 9,400 people. The questionnaire asked 10 questions including whether respondents attend a social get-together at least once a week, have a meal at least once a day or have anyone to take care of them when they are sick. The questionnaire warned correspondents that they have a high risk of dying alone if they responded yes to four or more questions.
The survey came as the ministry has completed a first draft of preventive policies to be conducted until 2027.
The ministry said on Thursday that future policies for young adult groups will focus more on psychological consultation and employment assistance, based on the survey results. For those in their 40s to 60s, the focus will be on health, housework, re-employment and socialization, while senior groups will be assisted with medical and welfare programs.
