Dongdaemun District to Strengthen Tailored Support for Single-Person Households... Focusing on Counseling, Safety, Employment, and Social Networks

On February 2, Dongdaemun District in Seoul (Mayor Lee Pilhyung) announced plans to strengthen its "comprehensive support system with no blind spots," which integrates safety, emotional, and daily life capabilities, with the goal of stabilizing the lives and improving the welfare of single-person households this year.

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District, attending the "A Meal That Takes Care of Me" event. Courtesy of Dongdaemun District Office.

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As of December 2025, single-person households account for 87,417 out of a total of 176,684 households in Dongdaemun District, representing 49.5%. Living alone has become a common way of life in the area. The district stated, "As the population living alone has rapidly increased, so has the risk of falling into economic, emotional, and social blind spots. We aim to build a structure that delivers tailored support at the right moment, in close proximity, and in a personalized manner."

Last year, the district operated customized counseling, outdoor experiential activities, and cultural and educational programs, with more than 19,000 participants. The district emphasized, "Rather than one-off events, we focused on establishing a 'lifestyle safety net' that allows residents living alone to seek help when needed and return to their daily lives."

This year, substantial practical support will be expanded for vulnerable single-person households and for the middle-aged and elderly, so that these groups can directly feel the benefits. The direction is "tailored to the causes of anxiety."

For emotionally vulnerable single-person households, one-on-one customized counseling will be enhanced to identify isolation and depression early, and interpersonal relationship consulting will be combined to provide pathways for relationship recovery. New emotional support programs will also be introduced to address isolation and loneliness.

To reduce economic anxiety, the district will provide job competency training for single-person households facing employment crises, as well as home repair and self-defense safety education, so that even those living alone can acquire the "minimum skills necessary to protect themselves."

The district will also expand community hubs. "Maeum ZIP" within the Dongdaemun Comprehensive Social Welfare Center and "Eum Maru" in the Kyungdong Market Youth Mall will be further developed as "neighborhood platforms" where single-person households can stop by to rest, receive counseling and program information, and reconnect with others in their daily lives.

This year, a "Single-Person Household Cultural Festival" will also be held. The district explained, "We will fill the 'gaps in relationships' that cannot be addressed by counseling and education alone through local networks," and added, "We will build a tighter web of connections so that neighbors can naturally check in on each other." By utilizing spaces in markets and alleys, such as the new building of Kyungdong Market, the district will lower barriers to participation so that residents can join after work or on weekends.

Last year, the district's counseling and mentoring project received the Excellence Award at the "2025 Seoul Metropolitan Government Single-Person Household Support Program Best Practices Contest."

Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District, stated, "Many single-person households in Dongdaemun face complex challenges such as isolation, health, and economic difficulties. We will do our utmost to strengthen support that can be felt on the ground, moving beyond one-off projects, to create an environment where everyone can live with peace of mind."

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