'Social Isolation' at OECD Top Levels…Local Government First Pushes for 'Social Isolation Prevention Center'

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) is pushing for the first nationwide establishment of a 'Social Isolation Prevention Center.'

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) announced that the Hwaseong Welfare Foundation held the '2026 Welfare Policy Forum' in the main auditorium of City Hall on the 28th and discussed local-level response strategies to prevent social isolation.

The forum was held under the theme 'Beyond Isolation, Connection: Hwaseong Special City's Response and Direction to Social Isolation.'

Professor Kim A-raemi from the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul Women's University, who gave the keynote address, stated, "South Korea's level of social isolation is approximately 20%, ranking at the top among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations," and suggested that "loneliness and social isolation should be recognized as a 'third social risk,' and it is necessary to establish a step-by-step response system centered on prevention and early intervention and strengthen the responsibilities of local governments."

Kim Hyo-il, Research Fellow in the Policy Research Division of the Hwaseong Welfare Foundation, explained, "The 'Hwaseong-type Social Connection' model involves the tentatively named 'Hwaseong City Isolation Prevention Center' overseeing operations, with five comprehensive social welfare centers in the region serving as 'social connection hubs' to link regional resources in five sectors including welfare, health, culture, sports, and finance."

In the comprehensive discussion, Professor Jeon Yong-ho from the Department of Social Welfare at Incheon National University served as moderator, with participants including City Council Member Shin Mi-jeong of Hwaseong Special City, Kim Bo-ram, Head of Hope Welfare Support Team of Hwaseong Special City, Park Myung-hee, Chair of Hwaseong Social Welfare Council, and Baek Myung-hee, Team Leader of the Isolation and Seclusion Response Team at the Seoul Isolation Prevention Center.

Shin Hyun-joo, Director of Care and Welfare, stated, "Social isolation is not an individual problem but an issue that the local community must solve together," and added, "It is important to discover citizens in crisis situations early and connect them with necessary welfare services and community resources."

Hwang Woon-sung, CEO of the Hwaseong Welfare Foundation, said, "We will reflect the discussed content in policy proposals to support the Social Isolation Prevention Center in playing a central role in the community connection network."