- KRW 100 million to support about 150 vulnerable residents in the island areas of Ganghwa and Ongjin with tailored services -

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it has been selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s (MOH) 2026 Underserved Social Services Project and will begin the Integrated and Cultural Services Support Project in April for residents in island areas, including Ganghwa and Ongjin.

Using KRW 100 million in project funding, including national funds secured through the program, Incheon will provide tailored services to about 150 vulnerable residents, mainly in Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa County, and Deokjeok-myeon, Ongjin County.

The project is also expected to present an integrated support model built as a package connecting care and cultural services in line with the “Act on Integrated Support for Community Care Including Medical and Nursing Services,” which takes effect on March 27.

Eligible recipients include residents in underserved areas who need support in daily life, such as discharged patients, people with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and people with limited mobility. Households with income at or below 100% of the median income will be given priority. The project will be carried out through cooperation by Incheon Metropolitan City, counties, and districts, and the Incheon Metropolitan City Public Agency for Social Service.

The project will provide support services such as daily care for discharged patients, nutritional support, and safety support based on AI, along with cultural services such as visiting performances and participatory programs.

Support services include help with meals, hygiene, and household tasks for discharged patients; nutritional meals for the elderly during climate-vulnerable periods such as heat waves and cold waves; and AI-based safety support services.

In particular, the AI-based safety support service uses a mobile device-based system. When no movement is detected for more than 48 hours, the system provides a virtual safety response that enables emergency action, helping strengthen protection for vulnerable residents.

Incheon also plans to expand cultural access for residents of island areas with limited access to such opportunities by offering visiting performances and participatory programs in everyday community spaces such as village halls and senior centers.

Yoo Jun-ho, Director of the Incheon’s Loneliness Care Bureau, stated, “We expect this project to help improve health management and quality of life by providing necessary services in an integrated way to residents in island and rural areas with limited access to welfare services. We will continue to expand support for residents in underserved areas.”