South Korea's Silent Epidemic: Loneliness in a Fragmented Society South Korea has been grappling with an increasingly fragmented society, but only recently have its authorities acknowledged the problem that's been lurking in plain sight.
The notion of loneliness as a public health issue is not new; what's surprising is how long it took for Seoul's authorities to recognize its full impact.
The statistics on solitary living are stark: nearly half of all households in the capital comprise single individuals, with over 40% of men and women aged 25 49 stating they have no desire to marry.