Suwon City Launches 'Well-Being Check' Project to Manage High-Risk Groups for Solitary Deaths

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon City will launch the 'Well-Being Check Project' in collaboration with Korea Electric Power MCS to confirm the well-being of high-risk groups for solitary death using IoT (Internet of Things) technology.

Suwon City and Korea Electric Power MCS signed a 'Well-Being Check Project Business Agreement for Solitary Death Prevention and Support for Socially Isolated Households' at Suwon City Hall on the 22nd and pledged cooperation. First Vice Mayor Kim Hyun-soo of Suwon City and President Jung Sung-jin of Korea Electric Power MCS signed the agreement.

The Well-Being Check Project confirms the well-being of socially isolated households at high risk of solitary death by utilizing Korea Electric Power MCS power managers (electric meter readers) and public data. The project will operate targeting 100 high-risk households for solitary death in Suwon City through December.

AMI (Automated Meter Reading) devices and IoT LED lights are installed in target households, and abnormal signs are detected using power consumption data and LED light data. Additionally, power managers conduct monthly visits and phone consultations to confirm well-being. When abnormal signs are detected, power managers dispatch emergency teams and coordinate with fire departments and police stations to confirm the situation. After dispatch, the results are reported to the dong administrative welfare center.

According to the agreement, Suwon City recruits participants in the Well-Being Check Project (high-risk groups for solitary death) and provides administrative support to ensure smooth implementation. Korea Electric Power MCS detects abnormal situations by utilizing IoT light sensor data and remote meter reading power data. Additionally, it provides regular well-being confirmation services, makes confirmation calls to subjects when abnormal situations occur, and performs emergency dispatch services.

First Vice Mayor Kim Hyun-soo of Suwon City said, "The number of people leaving the world alone increases every year, and it is necessary to confirm the well-being of socially isolated households from a preventive perspective," adding "We will join forces with Korea Electric Power MCS to prevent solitary death, which is called 'social murder.'"

According to results of an 'actual survey on loneliness and social isolation among Suwon citizens' conducted by the Suwon City Research Institute in February targeting 1,305 citizens, vulnerable groups for social isolation were men, elderly people, and single-person households.(Related article: Editorial in this paper dated the 19th)

Based on the survey results, Suwon City is launching the '2024 Solitary Death Prevention Pilot Project' including the Well-Being Check Project.