Asian Insider Podcast

Are South Koreans lonely?

wtlonely - A banner hanging outside Seoul's Gwanak district social welfare centre advertises the "Heart Convenience Store's" services. The "Heart Convenience Store" is part of Seoul Metropolitan City's "Seoul Without Loneliness" five-year project to combat the growing problem and isolation and loneliness in the city.

Credit: Wendy Teo

A banner hanging outside Seoul's Gwanak district social welfare centre advertises the "Heart Convenience Store's" services. The "Heart Convenience Store" is part of Seoul Metropolitan City's "Seoul Without Loneliness" five-year project to combat the growing problem and isolation and loneliness in the city.

ST PHOTO: WENDY TEO

Li Xueying

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Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they’re based in.

South Korea correspondent Wendy Teo, who has lived in South Korea for six years, describes what life in Seoul can be like, and explains why loneliness is a looming epidemic not just for the aged but for young people there as well.

Steps are being taken to address the challenge, with local authorities rolling out measures ranging from cafes where anyone can drop by for a steaming hot bowl of ramyeon to 24-hour call centres.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:12 All alone in Seoul

4:59 Intense competition in exams and for jobs

6:41 A district in southern Seoul City

11:47 Tackling the problem before depression sets in

15:04 Are mindsets shifting?

Read Wendy Teo’s article here:

https://str.sg/f4bN

Read Li Xueying’s articles:

https://str.sg/iqmR

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn:

https://str.sg/ip4x