South Korea is to offer young people a 650,000 won ($490) monthly living allowance to encourage them to leave their homes under a new measure passed by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

This condition is known as “hikikomori,” a Japanese expression that roughly translates to “withdrawal,” and refers to young people living in self-imposed social isolation. The term for this social phenomenon was coined in the early 1980s, but in the last decade the authorities have become increasingly concerned about this.

The government wants to make it easier for people with this problem to leave their homes to go to school, university or work. Announced this week, the scheme, expanding on measures announced in November, includes a monthly living allowance for children aged 9 to 24.

According to the survey, hikikomori make up 3% of people between the ages of 19 and 39. A significant percentage, 20.6%, said the situation they found themselves in was also due to the lifestyle changes imposed during the pandemic.

However, a similar situation is observed in Japan, where about 1.5 million people live almost exclusively within the four walls of their homes. According to experts, the hikimori phenomenon is thought to have psychological causes such as depression and anxiety, although social factors such as a patriarchal culture and a gruelingly demanding work mentality also play a role.

According to the Guardian