{
  "id": 7747232,
  "title": "Korea has 540,000 socially withdrawn people — many are young men, highly educated people",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/korea-has-540-000-socially-withdrawn-people-many-are-young-men-highly-7747232",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T08:57:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260916/korea-has-540000-socially-withdrawn-people-many-are-young-men-highly-educated-people"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent report highlights the alarming issue of social withdrawal in Korea, with an estimated 540,000 individuals affected as of 2022. Counselor Lee Ho-sun, speaking on tvN STORY's Tuesday episode, emphasized the seriousness of the situation.\n\nSocially withdrawn individuals are defined as those who voluntarily isolate themselves, shun social participation, and struggle to maintain relationships with others. These individuals are not simply choosing to opt-out of social interactions after a single failed attempt; rather, repeated failures lead to self-doubt and frustration.\n\nAccording to Lee, young men in their 20s and highly educated individuals make up a significant portion of those experiencing social withdrawal. The primary reasons cited include difficulties with academics, employment, and interpersonal relationships. The pressures of these challenges can result in a downward spiral, as individuals grapple with feelings of inadequacy and disappointment.\n\nWhile social withdrawal is often associated with younger demographics, Lee also acknowledged that it can affect middle-aged people as well.",
  "summary": "Counselor Lee Ho-sun has explained the serious extent of social withdrawal in Korea and why young men in their 20s and highly educated people make up a significant proportion of those affected. On the Tuesday episode of tvN STORY's \"Lee Ho-sun Counseling Center,\" Lee discussed the issue of social withdrawal. \"An estimated 540,000 people were socially withdrawn as of 2022,\" Lee said, highlighting…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea has 540,000 socially withdrawn people — many are young men, highly educated people",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/korea-has-540-000-socially-withdrawn-people-many-are-young-men-highly",
        "published": "2026-09-16T08:47:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}