[This Person] Jung Won-oh, Seongdong District Mayor, Rolls Up Sleeves to Support Single-Person Households: Why?

Seongdong-gu's Single-Person Households Account for 42.4% of All Households... Introducing a Comprehensive 'Single-Person Household Support Policy Package' with 51 Detailed Projects in 5 Major Areas... Policies Covering All Generations Including 'Moving Vehicle' Support, 'Women's 4-Item Kit,' 'Half-Price Real Estate Fees,' and 'Senior AI Health Management'

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, is talking with young people at the recent Youth Social Activity Project Sharing Meeting.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The era of ‘one-person households every three houses’.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong District, has established a 'Comprehensive Support Plan for One-Person Households,' selecting 51 detailed projects across five major areas as action tasks, and decided to launch a full-scale implementation of the ‘Comprehensive Support Policy Package for One-Person Households.’

The so-called ‘MZ generation,’ referring to young people in their 20s and 30s, accounts for the largest proportion among one-person households in the area. According to resident registration population statistics from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, one-person households in Seongdong District make up 42.4% of all households (rounded to the second decimal place, same below), with young adults accounting for 42.6%, while middle-aged and elderly groups account for 28.6% and 27.9%, respectively.

Mayor Jung emphasized that the rapidly increasing number of one-person households requires a change in policy direction. Last November, the district conducted a ‘One-Person Household Lifestyle Survey’ and noted that there are diverse needs depending on the target group.

The youth face high economic burdens due to housing costs, and many women feel anxious due to insufficient housing safety measures. Middle-aged men experience depression depending on their mental and physical health, and the elderly worry about health care. The desired needs vary according to the characteristics of each group.

Accordingly, Mayor Jung has launched direct support for one-person households with lifestyle-oriented services such as ‘Youth Moving Vehicle’ support, ‘Women’s 4-Item Kit,’ ‘Half-Price Real Estate Brokerage Fees,’ and ‘Youth Savings Account.’

Youth who previously received help now volunteer as the ‘Moving Vehicle Volunteer Group,’ creating a virtuous cycle volunteer model. Services include providing moving vehicles to young one-person households, installing emergency bells in single-person stores for women, and supplying a Safe Home 4-Item Kit to support safe living.

In particular, the four-item set, consisting of a door mirror sheet for visibility, fingerprint-resistant door lock film, personal information leakage prevention stamps, and a mini fire extinguisher, prevents personal information leakage in daily life and enhances safety against fire.

Based on a separate demand survey, the four most necessary items were selected, and the number of beneficiary households was significantly expanded to 1,000 to allow more people to use them.

Additionally, the half-price brokerage service, previously limited to Hanyang University students, has been expanded to young people in their 20s and 30s. Youth savings accounts were introduced in Yongdap area, where two new districts were established due to the increase in young one-person households, empowering the voices of youth.

Projects to form social networks, such as ‘AI Health Management Service for Seniors’ and support for horticulture, crafts, and club activities, are also being promoted, with plans to actively support desired services from youth to elderly.

In May, the district launched the ‘One-Person Household Policy Promotion Task Force (TF)’ to continuously prepare measures to support the rapidly increasing one-person households, and collected residents’ opinions through the ‘Seongdong Open Idea Contest’ last month.

Various support policies, including ‘Support Services to Solve Companion Animal Household Problems,’ ‘Household Support Services for Storage and Organization,’ and the establishment of a platform for one-person household networking, were reviewed and adopted. Going forward, the district plans to enact related ordinances, establish a ‘One-Person Household Support Center,’ and create a hub space for systematic and comprehensive support, promoting all-round support policies such as leisure, culture, and community provision.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong District, said, “Local government policies must flexibly respond to the changing population structure with the rapidly increasing proportion of one-person households. We will promote realistic and systematic support policies that encompass not only vulnerable groups and the elderly but also youth and middle-aged people according to their needs.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.