Bucheon City Strengthens Care for Vulnerable Groups... Mail Carriers to Conduct Well-being Visits

Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 11th that it has been finally selected in the "2026 Smart Welfare and Safety Service Improvement Model Development Support Project" by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, specifically for the "Well-being Check Mail Service" sector.

Accordingly, the city will collaborate with Bucheon Post Office until December to implement the "Bucheon On(温) Life" project, targeting vulnerable households at high risk of social isolation. The project has a total budget of 20 million won, funded through a combination of the contest project funds, the Post Office Public Interest Foundation, and private sponsorships, and will be operated through a public-private partnership model.

The "Bucheon On(温) Life" project is a life companionship service that checks on the well-being of recipients by utilizing the local Community Social Security Council and mail carriers as part of a community care network. In particular, it will also provide support for preparing for a dignified end of life, such as writing ending notes and producing video autobiographies.

Additionally, the "Onmaeum AI Welfare Call" will regularly call recipients to check on their well-being and conduct cognitive health screenings. Depending on the test results, those identified as at risk for cognitive decline will be referred to the Dementia Relief Center to receive necessary counseling and services.

Bucheon City Hall exterior view

In light of concerns over rising energy prices due to recent instability in the Middle East, the city also plans to implement "Support for Energy-Vulnerable Households" in connection with this public contest project.

For energy-poor households, such as those in arrears on gas or electricity bills, mail carriers will visit directly through the well-being check mail service to check on residents and assess their living conditions. In addition, by linking private resources, the city will provide energy-efficient heating and cooling products tailored to each household’s needs, such as LED lighting replacements, air conditioner energy-saving covers, and electric blankets.

An official from Bucheon City stated, "The importance of preventing social isolation is growing due to the super-aged society and the increasing number of single-person households," adding, "We will actively support vulnerable groups facing difficulties from the energy crisis and reduce welfare blind spots through collaboration with the post office and the local care network."

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