Sokcho City in Gangwon Province announced today (the 18th) that it has improved the living environment of an elderly resident living alone who had been enduring poor housing conditions through a public-private partnership.

The recipient is known to have lived for about a decade with household waste piled up inside the home due to hoarding tendencies.

Although improving the living environment was necessary, cleaning was difficult due to a strong aversion to tidying up. After continuous persuasion by family members, the household waste inside the house was finally cleared out.

Following this, the city completed cleaning, disinfection, and pest control work, but the housing conditions remained poor even after the trash was removed, requiring additional repairs.

In response, members of the local volunteer group "Haeon" stepped up.

Using their weekend time, the members replaced old wallpaper and flooring, lending a hand so that the elderly resident living alone could live in a more comfortable and safe environment.

Haeon is a volunteer group formed last May by local small-business owners who joined forces.

The group continues various sharing activities throughout the community, such as repairing living environments for vulnerable groups and providing beauty services at nursing hospitals.

Kim Nam-seung, president of Haeon, said, "I felt a great sense of fulfillment knowing that even a small act of service can be the strength for someone to restart their daily life." He added, "We will continue to look out for neighbors in need and carry on sharing activities that spread hope in the local community."

(Photo provided by Sokcho City, Yonhap News)