[Pick] 120,000 young people in Seoul who are 'hermit-type loners' are still confined to their rooms

Secluded loner: Called "hikikomori" in Japanese, a person who stays in one's house or room for a long time and does not participate in social activities.

A survey result showed that 4 to 5 out of 100 young people in Seoul are isolated or secluded loners who do not leave their homes or rooms and are cut off from society.

Up to 129,000 young people in Seoul as a whole, and as many as 610,000 young people nationwide, are staying at home.

120,000 Seoul youths, 'reclusive loners', are still confined to their rooms

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced today (18th) the results of the nation's first 'Isolated and Secluded Youth Survey', which was conducted from May to December of last year to grasp the reality of 'reclusive loners', which is emerging as a social problem.

Prior to the survey, the Seoul Metropolitan Government defined the concepts of 'isolated youth' and 'reclusive youth' in detail for more accurate research results.

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The survey was conducted online with a sample of 5,221 households and 5,513 young people aged 19 to 39 living in Seoul.

In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with people living in isolation and seclusion as well as working-level staff at support organizations to increase the accuracy of the research results.

As a result of the survey, the rate of isolation and seclusion among young people in Seoul was estimated to be 4.5%.

If so, how did they end up in this situation?

The number one reason for living in isolation and seclusion was 'unemployment or difficulty finding employment (45.5%, multiple responses)', followed by 'psychological and mental difficulties (40.9%)' and 'difficulty in human relationships (40.3%)'. Following this, it was confirmed that economic and emotional difficulties acted in a complex way.

A reclusive loner experiencing economic and emotional difficulties...

"I want to escape too"

In addition, it was found that young people who were isolated or secluded had a common experience at a high rate around adulthood.

Prior to adulthood, it was confirmed that there were 'an experience in which someone in the family was emotionally difficult' (62.1%), 'an experience in which the family situation suddenly became difficult' (57.8%), and 'an experience of being bullied and bullied' (57.52%).

This is a high percentage of those who spent time experiencing economic and emotional instability.

In addition, it was confirmed that adults mainly experienced job failure afterward.

64.4% of respondents answered that they were unable to get a job at the time they wanted, and 60.7% said that they did not get into the job they wanted.

As for the duration of life in isolation and seclusion, 28.1% of 'more than 1 year to less than 3 years', 16.7% of 'more than 3 years to less than 5 years', and 11.5% of 'more than 10 years'.

It was also found that their health condition was not good.

43.2% of isolated and secluded young people answered 'poor' about their physical health, which is three times higher than that of general young people (14.2%).

In addition, 18.5% of isolated and reclusive youth reported taking mental health-related medications.

It is analyzed that negative experiences of being cut off from society affect not only individual emotions but also physical health.

Meanwhile, 55.7% of respondents said they wanted to escape from their current life, and 43.0% of them actually tried to escape.

The most needed support was 'economic support' (57.2%), followed by 'hobbies and sports activities' (44.7%), 'job or study opportunities' (42.0%), and 'psychological counseling' (36.8%). 's answer came.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, which conducted the survey, plans to operate a tentatively named 'Mental Health Vision Center' that can comprehensively examine them based on the results of the survey.

Cheol-hee Kim, Director of Future Youth Planning at Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "We will come up with a plan so that isolated and reclusive youth can actually receive help so that they can enjoy a safe and comfortable life in society again."