The Hardships Left by COVID-19... The Surge in 'Muyeongo Deaths' Reveals Welfare Blind Spots

Increase in Suicides and Unclaimed Deaths After COVID-19
Rising Perception of Financial Hardship and Isolation
Vulnerable Groups Pushed to the 'Edge', Need for Welfare Blind Spot Solutions

The funeral procession of the 'Suwon Three Women,' who passed away without receiving welfare services despite battling illness and financial hardship, was held on the morning of the 26th of last month at the Suwon Central Hospital Funeral Hall in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] The number of 'unclaimed deaths'?those who pass away in solitude without known relatives?is increasing. Since the spread of COVID-19, there has been a rise in people experiencing economic hardship and social isolation, raising concerns about worsening living conditions among vulnerable groups. Despite the sharp increase in households in crisis, related measures such as welfare blind spots are criticized as inadequate.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 20th, the number of unclaimed deaths has been rising every year over the past five years. Unclaimed deaths refer to those whose relatives cannot be identified or whose relatives refuse or avoid claiming the body. The Ministry reports that the number of unclaimed deaths was △ 2,008 in 2017 △ 2,447 in 2018 △ 2,656 in 2019 △ 3,136 in 2020 △ 3,603 in 2021, and in the first half of 2022 alone, 2,314, showing an annual increase.

Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic spread in 2020, unclaimed deaths have increased further. According to Seoul city statistics on unclaimed deaths, the numbers were △ 513 in 2017 △ 566 in 2018 △ 531 in 2019 △ 670 in 2020 △ 814 in 2021 △ 569 in the first half of 2020. Last year, the number surged by 1.53 times compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Extreme suicides have also increased compared to before COVID-19. According to the National Police Agency, the year-over-year increase rate of reported extreme suicide cases was 3.7% in 2019, but rose to 6.0% in 2020 and surpassed 10% (12.3%) in 2021. This year, up to the end of last month, 74,367 reports of extreme suicides were received, and it is predicted that by the end of the year, the total will reach between 110,000 and 120,000 cases.

This is interpreted as a result of more people feeling economic hardship and isolation due to COVID-19 measures such as social distancing. According to the '2015?2021 Psychological Autopsy Interview Analysis Report' released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in July, an analysis of causes of death among those who committed extreme suicide over the past seven years showed △ family relationships at 60.4% △ economic issues such as debt and income reduction at 59.8% △ occupational issues such as peer relationships and unemployment at 59.2%. Furthermore, psychological autopsy results of suicides related to COVID-19 showed that 'economic problems' were the most significant stress factor during life, followed by △ occupational problems △ family relationships △ interpersonal relationships △ marital relationships in that order.

As more people experience economic hardship and social isolation due to COVID-19, the number of unclaimed deaths is increasing, highlighting the need for measures to support vulnerable groups. [Image source=Pixabay]

As more people experience poverty and isolation, concerns are also raised about vulnerable groups who have suffered relatively greater economic damage. The government-operated 'Crisis Household Detection System' identified 1,339,909 welfare service recipients last year, more than double compared to 2019. Last month, consecutive extreme suicides of two young adults from a childcare facility in Gwangju and the tragedy of the 'Suwon three mothers' highlighted the severe living difficulties faced by vulnerable groups.

Criticism follows that related measures are insufficient despite the sharp increase in crisis households. A young adult A (18), who was formerly in a childcare facility and ended their life near a university in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju last month, left a note with brief words such as "I don't know how to live." It was reported that just before the extreme suicide, A had used a significant amount of childcare support funds for university living expenses, indicating financial worries. Currently, young adults preparing for independence can receive independence support funds and an independence allowance of about 350,000 KRW over five years, but this is considered insufficient to resolve housing issues. Other problems include inadequate guidance systems for various support policies and a shortage of staff at independence support institutions.

The three mothers found dead in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, in the same month also suffered severe living difficulties due to illness and significant debts. A note found at the scene stated, "I was economically struggling due to chronic illness and debt." Although they were identified as 'welfare blind spot crisis households,' they were not registered for residence and thus did not receive actual government social welfare support before passing away.

At that time, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the 'Next-Generation Social Security Information System Phase 2 Launch' service increased the types of crisis household detection information from 34 to 39, contributing to the discovery of blind spots. Jeon Byeong-wang, Director of Social Welfare Policy at the Ministry, emphasized, "We will promptly review effective improvement measures to find and support vulnerable people who cannot raise their voices first."

※ If you have difficult-to-express concerns such as depression or know family or acquaintances experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling at suicide prevention hotline ☎1393, mental health counseling ☎1577-0199, Hope Call ☎129, Life Line ☎1588-9191, and Youth Hotline ☎1388.

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