Hikikomori, The Societal Issue of Youth Unemployment and Social Recluses.

It has become evident that in modern society, there is a growing number of young people who, despite completing their education, are unable to secure suitable employment. According to recent statistics from the Korean National Statistical Office (KNSO), out of the 4,521,000 individuals aged 15 to 29 who have completed their final schooling, 1,261,000 are currently unemployed.

 

On the other hand, Japan acknowledges the issue of social recluses as a serious societal problem and has implemented various support policies.

 

Among these, a significant proportion consists of young people with higher education qualifications. University graduates make up more than half of the unemployed graduates, totaling 678,000 individuals. Within this group, there are 451,000 four-year university graduates, 215,000 three-year or less college graduates, and 12,000 postgraduate degree holders. The remaining unemployed graduates consist of high school graduates (524,000), middle school graduates (48,000), and those with lower education levels (10,000), among others.

 

Many of these unemployed graduates do not express a strong desire to find employment. Instead, they spend more time at home than attending vocational training or preparing for employment by attending academies or libraries. Surprisingly, one out of every four respondents reported that they were wasting time without making any efforts to secure employment.

 

The KNSO's research classifies individuals who actively seek employment and are immediately available for work as unemployed. In contrast, individuals who are not making any efforts to find employment are categorized as the non-economically active population. Within the non-economically active population, there is a category labeled "resting."

 

"Resting" refers to a state of inactivity without any efforts towards employment, education advancement, military service, or other activities. Recently, the number of young people classified as "resting" has been increasing, and a considerable portion of these young individuals are becoming social recluses, disconnected from external interactions. According to a government-conducted survey on the current state of youth life, an estimated 240,000 young people fall into the category of social recluses.

 

Social recluses, especially in recent times, are influenced by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, which have deterred them from engaging in social activities. An expert explains, "The COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn have hindered the social activities of young people. Pessimism and anxiety among the youth are among the contributing factors to the emergence of social recluses."

 

Moreover, there has been a rise in criminal cases associated with social recluses, causing growing societal concerns. In light of this situation, it has become evident that the government and local authorities need to formulate measures to address the issue of social recluses. However, policy support for this problem remains insufficient. Only 16 locations nationwide have established policies and centers to support social recluses. Notably, Gwangju Metropolitan City established a support center for social recluses after enacting an ordinance in 2019.

 

The phenomenon of social recluses is emerging as a significant societal issue, demanding immediate attention. Both the central government and local authorities bear the responsibility of creating diverse support policies covering the lives, education, and employment of social recluses.

 

Furthermore, in March, the government expanded the concept of disability beyond medical criteria to include environmental barriers that hinder social participation. This move allows individuals classified as "social recluses" to qualify for government support and financial assistance if their condition is recognized as a disability. This development is expected to provide significant aid to social recluses and their families.

 

On the other hand, Japan acknowledges the issue of social recluses as a serious societal problem and has implemented various support policies. South Korea can take lessons from such cases and make concerted efforts to analyze, prevent, and establish support systems for social recluses within the country. Multifaceted policies are needed to prevent young people from opting for extreme competition and isolation, and these efforts must continue to be pursued diligently.