CNN —Every year, thousands of South Koreans – mostly middle-aged men – die quietly and alone, cut off from their family and friends. “Loneliness and isolation are not just individual problems, but tasks that society must solve together,” Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon said in a news release. The phenomenon, known by the Japanese term “hikikomori,” has become increasingly common; South Korea had up to 244,000 such recluses in 2022 by one estimate. A Buddhist nun and staff of Good Nanum hold the name tablets of three deceased people before their cremation on June 16, 2016 in Goyang, South Korea. However, when asked about what makes them feel lonely, “there are some differences compared to other countries,” she said.

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Persons: –, hoon, ”, Soo, Myongji University – cautioning, Nanum, Jean Chung, “, they’re, Anthony Wallace, … Organizations: CNN, Koreans, Myongji University, Ministry of Health, Getty, Government, Prevention, Management, Korea isn’t, United, World Health Organization Locations: Seoul, Korea, South Korea, Goyang, “, South Koreans, South, AFP, Japan, United Kingdom