hy signs MOU with Ministry of Health and Welfare to combat social isolation, lonely deaths

hy announced Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on preventing social isolation.

The agreement centers on identifying and supporting people at risk of dying alone or becoming socially isolated within their communities. The signing ceremony was held Monday at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with hy CEO Byeon Gyeong-gu and Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong in attendance.

According to the ministry's "2024 Survey on the State of Lonely Deaths," the number of people who died alone last year rose 7.2 percent from the previous year to 3,924. Over the same period, the share of single-person households nationwide expanded from 35.5 percent to 36.1 percent. The survey also found that 33 percent of Koreans aged 19 and older had experienced social isolation — meaning they had nowhere to turn when they needed help.

hy will draw on its network of roughly 11,000 Fresh Managers across the country to check on vulnerable households and identify those at risk of isolation. During regular health beverage deliveries, the managers will watch for signs of crisis and, when necessary, connect at-risk individuals with public welfare services.

Any warning signs can be reported through the ministry's mobile service "Bokji Wigi Alrim" (welfare crisis alert). The company also plans to use customer touchpoints — such as product leaflets — to promote the ministry's related projects and campaigns.

"We feel a great sense of responsibility in taking on the role of looking out for struggling neighbors through welfare check-ins," Byeon said. "We will work closely with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and do our utmost to prevent social isolation and identify households at risk of lonely deaths."