Eunpyeong-gu Signs Business Agreement with KEPCO and SK Telecom for 'Single-Person Household Welfare Check Service'

Published 23 Apr.2022 19:30(KST)

Preventing Solitary Deaths Using Big Data Based on Power and Communication... Securing Welfare Golden Time with Smart Technology-Based Non-Face-to-Face Check-In Service

The working-level meeting on the introduction of the 'Single-Person Household Welfare Check Service' held last February

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Eunpyeong-gu signed a business agreement on the 18th with Korea Electric Power Corporation and SK Telecom to implement the ‘Power and Communication Data Utilization 1-Person Household Welfare Check Service’.

The ‘Power and Communication Data Utilization 1-Person Household Welfare Check Service’ analyzes the power and communication data usage patterns of single-person households and notifies the local welfare planner via text message when an unusual pattern is detected, enabling immediate response.

It uses artificial intelligence to analyze and inform about hourly power consumption, incoming and outgoing calls, text message sending, and mobile data usage.

Upon receiving the alert, the welfare planner promptly checks on the individual by phone or visit, preventing emergencies in advance and securing the welfare golden time.

Notably, this service utilizes existing power and communication infrastructure without requiring additional equipment, making it cost-effective. It does not require installing separate devices or sensors in the target households, minimizing lifestyle interference and psychological resistance.

The district plans to provide the service to approximately 1,600 high-risk single-person households for solitary death through a pilot operation this year. The plan aims to strengthen continuous monitoring of single-person households and diversify non-face-to-face welfare services based on smart technology.

Meanwhile, the proportion of single-person households in Eunpyeong-gu accounts for 40% of the total population. The percentage of welfare recipients among single-person households has steadily increased since 2018 and currently reaches 71.6%.

An official from the district stated, “As the proportion of single-person households among welfare recipients increases, preventing solitary deaths is an important role for local governments,” adding, “We hope this service agreement will help confirm the welfare status of single-person households and reduce the workload of local social welfare officers.”