Vulnerable Groups
Overview
Vulnerable groups refer to people who are easily exposed to various risks (poverty, disease, disaster, discrimination) due to social and economic conditions, health status, age, disability, etc. They face limitations in access to resources, information acquisition, and exercise of rights compared to ordinary citizens, and require protection and support from the government and society. The scope of vulnerable groups varies by era and country, and recently, new vulnerability factors such as the climate crisis, digital divide, and pandemics have been highlighted.
Main Content
1. Types of Vulnerable Groups
Vulnerable groups can be broadly divided into economically vulnerable groups, socially vulnerable groups, health vulnerable groups, and environmentally vulnerable groups.
- Economically Vulnerable Groups: Low-income earners, basic livelihood security recipients, near-poor groups, homeless individuals, long-term unemployed, etc. Due to low income, they face difficulties in maintaining basic living conditions such as housing, food, and medical care.
- Socially Vulnerable Groups: Persons with disabilities, the elderly, children and adolescents, single-parent families, multicultural families, sexual minorities, North Korean defectors, etc. They are easily excluded from opportunities and rights due to social prejudice or discrimination.
- Health Vulnerable Groups: Individuals with chronic diseases, severe disabilities, mental illnesses, pregnant women, infants, etc. Due to unstable health conditions or low access to medical care, they are exposed to additional risks.
- Environmentally Vulnerable Groups: Residents of disaster-prone areas, groups sensitive to climate change impacts (farmers, fishermen, slum dwellers), residents of polluted areas, etc. They lack the capacity to respond to natural disasters or environmental changes.
2. Causes of Vulnerable Groups
The emergence of vulnerable groups results from a combination of individual factors (disease, disability, lack of education) and structural factors (unequal economic structures, discriminatory systems, lack of social safety nets). In particular, as income polarization intensifies under the neoliberal economic system, cases of the middle class falling into vulnerable groups are increasing. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the difficulties of existing vulnerable groups, and the digital divide caused by the shift to non-face-to-face interactions created new vulnerable groups.
3. Support Policies for Vulnerable Groups
Countries implement various welfare policies for vulnerable groups.
- Income Support: Basic livelihood security system, emergency welfare support, child allowance, disability pension, basic pension, etc.
- Medical Support: Medical aid, expansion of health insurance benefits, free health checkups for vulnerable groups, mental health services.
- Housing Support: Public rental housing, housing benefits, support for residents of gosiwon (cheap study rooms) and jjokbang (tiny rooms).
- Education and Employment Support: Education benefits, vocational training, job placement programs, mandatory employment of persons with disabilities.
- Disaster and Calamity Support: Disaster relief supplies, temporary shelters, psychological support.
4. Rights and Human Rights of Vulnerable Groups
Vulnerable groups are not merely objects of protection but subjects of rights. International norms such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasize the independence and social participation of vulnerable groups. However, in reality, their rights are easily violated due to stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to information. Recently, criticism has been raised that the term "vulnerable groups" itself reinforces a passive image, leading to an emphasis on a "rights-based approach" and "capacity building."
5. Vulnerable Groups and the Digital Divide
Digital transformation is creating new barriers for vulnerable groups. The elderly, low-income earners, and persons with disabilities are marginalized in using smart devices, internet access, and digital services, facing difficulties in accessing financial, administrative, and medical services. Accordingly, governments and the private sector are promoting digital literacy education, distribution of customized devices, and accessibility improvement policies.
6. Vulnerable Groups and the Climate Crisis
The climate crisis disproportionately affects vulnerable groups. Natural disasters such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts further threaten the housing and livelihoods of the poor, leading to burdens of heating and cooling costs and health deterioration. From a climate justice perspective, adaptation policies (green welfare, climate safety nets) are needed to protect vulnerable groups.
Latest Trends
As of 2024-2025, major changes related to vulnerable groups are as follows.
- Strengthening Support for Digitally Vulnerable Groups: The South Korean government is promoting customized education for the elderly and persons with disabilities and improving accessibility of kiosks and apps through the "Digital Inclusion Comprehensive Plan."
- Protection of Climate Vulnerable Groups: The European Union (EU) established a "Climate Social Fund" to support energy transition costs for low-income households, and South Korea is also discussing the enactment of a "Climate Crisis Vulnerable Groups Support Act."
- Post-Pandemic Mental Health Crisis: As vulnerable groups reporting depression and anxiety increase after COVID-19, expansion of mental health service accessibility and budget increases are underway.
- Reform of the Basic Livelihood Security System: South Korea relaxed the criteria for supporting obligators in 2024 and eased the eligibility criteria for livelihood benefits to allow more vulnerable groups to receive benefits.
- Deinstitutionalization of Persons with Disabilities: The policy of "deinstitutionalization," transitioning from residential facilities for persons with disabilities to community-based independence, is accelerating, expanding housing and care support.
- Identification of Youth Vulnerable Groups: Support projects for new vulnerable groups, such as isolated/hikikomori youth and youth preparing for independence (children leaving protection), are expanding.
Related Topics
- [[Social Safety Net]]
- [[Poverty]]
- [[Disability Rights]]
- [[Digital Divide]]
- [[Climate Justice]]
- [[Basic Livelihood Security System]]
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