Cheongyang County Closes Welfare Gaps with 'Check-In Postal Service'

Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong Province, is assembling packages for its welfare-check mail service. (Courtesy of Cheongyang County)

Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province has confirmed that its 2026 Check-In Postal Service program is producing tangible results and establishing itself as a reliable local care network.

The county launched the program to check on the safety of socially isolated households and address gaps in welfare services. It was carried out under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's public contest program under the name "Ding Dong! Your Check-In Has Arrived."

Accordingly, in March 2026, the county invested KRW 19 million in national and county funds and signed a four-party business agreement with Cheongyang Post Office, the Cheongyang County Community Security Council, and the Cheongyang County Volunteer Center. Full operations began in May 2026.

The program serves 60 people in socially isolated households across the county who are at risk of dying alone.

Over 25 rounds of visits, the county closely monitored middle-aged and older adults living alone, checking their housing conditions and health, and designating some as high-intensity integrated case management clients.

The program is considered an exemplary model of close cooperation between the public and private sectors. Cheongyang County oversees administrative and financial support and connects residents with welfare services, while Cheongyang Post Office is responsible for checking in on residents through its mail carriers.

After the program ends, the county plans to comprehensively analyze visit records, connections to welfare services, and user satisfaction, and actively consider ways to continue and expand the program.

Administrative Officer Lim Eunsook said, "Residents have responded positively to the Check-In Postal Service, so we have already applied for next year's program. The program serves middle-aged and older adults living alone to prevent deaths among people living alone. We will do our utmost to reduce gaps in welfare services and make Cheongyang a warm place where no one is left behind."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.