Gwangju City Councilor Lee Myeong-no Holds 'Reclusive Social Withdrawal Support Policy Forum'

Lee Myung-no, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party, Seo-gu 3), announced on the 22nd that he held a "Policy Discussion Forum for Supporting Reclusive Hikikomori in Gwangju Metropolitan City."

This forum was held to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the opening of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Reclusive Hikikomori Support Center. It was organized as an opportunity to enhance the policy direction regarding reclusive hikikomori through the achievements of support policies and to seek institutional improvements in various aspects.

Starting with a presentation by Kim Seong-a, Associate Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, the discussion panel included Baek Hee-jung, Secretary General of the Gwangju Reclusive Hikikomori Support Center; Park Joo-hong, Senior Research Fellow at the Busan Institute; Son Ok-soo, Director of Welfare Policy at Gwangju Metropolitan City; Shin Su-jeong, Gwangju Metropolitan Council member; Yoo Seung-gyu, CEO of Anmuseo Company; Lee Eun-hae, Chairperson of the Seeds Corporation; and Lim Myung-gyu, Representative of the Gwangju Youth Policy Network.

Researcher Kim Seong-a stated, "If socially isolated youth continuously fail to form social relationships, there is a high possibility that they will live the rest of their lives isolated as middle-aged or elderly individuals," adding, "This can lead to negative outcomes such as deteriorating mental health and increased suicide rates. Early intervention during youth is necessary."

Secretary General Baek Hee-jung argued, "Since the scope of reclusive hikikomori policy support is limited to the respective local governments, it is difficult to support reclusive individuals and their families in other regions, making government support urgently needed."

Senior Research Fellow Park Joo-hong said, "I believe and expect that the Gwangju Metropolitan City Reclusive Hikikomori Support Center (physical infrastructure) will long serve as social infrastructure that connects and helps recover not only reclusive hikikomori but also isolated and lonely people."

Director Son Ok-soo of the Welfare Policy Division stated that the performance and operation of the Reclusive Hikikomori Support Center would be evaluated to decide on re-commissioning, and that efforts would continue to secure national funding and propose directions for projects suitable to the city's conditions in line with policy promotion.

Council member Shin Su-jeong said, "Local governments and private organizations should respond proactively by performing active administration and responsiveness in providing reclusive hikikomori service support, even if legal grounds and budget execution are not yet established," adding, "Just as Gwangju took the lead, we will assist in presenting a policy milestone for reclusive hikikomori in other local governments."

CEO Yoo Seung-gyu proposed, "Currently, reclusive hikikomori is becoming a social problem beyond a personal issue, and our society must urgently view reclusive hikikomori as a social problem and prepare solutions accordingly."

Chairperson Lee Eun-hae emphasized, "Not only the reclusive isolated individuals and their families but also changes in the social structure and culture that shape this phenomenon must proceed simultaneously," stressing, "Especially, guaranteeing the subjectivity of young individuals and restoring civic power require cooperative governance between local governments and communities."

Representative Lim Myung-gyu explained, "Currently, the youth policy delivery system in Gwangju does not specifically manage youth NEETs," adding, "The ongoing Youth Policy Integrated Platform project is expected to provide an alternative to these limitations."

Council member Lee Myung-no said, "Today, we held a forum to review and explore the achievements and future directions of support for reclusive hikikomori, for which Gwangju was the first in the nation to establish an ordinance and start projects," adding, "Let us continue to think together so that policies centered on people, not simply support caused by manpower loss as in Japan, can be completed."

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