Beyond Words of Thanks: Delivering Hands-On Care to Korea’s Aging War Veterans Amid Record Heatwaves

How Shincheonji Volunteer Group Stepped into the Living Spaces of National Heroes in Uijeongbu, Gwangju, and Cheonan "The war ended decades ago, but for me, it has never truly ended..." — Lim Jae-cheon (77), Vietnam War Veteran & Army Medic in Uijeongbu As record-breaking heatwaves swept across South Korea in late July 2026—with feel-like temperatures soaring near 38°C (100°F)—elderly war veterans faced severe health risks. Moving beyond public awareness rallies on city streets, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group took a direct, hands-on approach: entering the homes, offices, and veterans' halls of aging heroes to provide tailored living support, summer health meals, and deep emotional companionship. Here is a look at how volunteers delivered practical care and honor to veterans in Uijeongbu, Gwangju, and Cheonan . 1. Uijeongbu Branch: Living Space Care & Personalized Honor On July 25, volunteers from the Uijeongbu Branch personally visited the homes of elderly Viet...
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Practical Housing Safety Support: Shincheonji Gwangju Branch Executes "Gocheo-dream" Home Repair Initiative for Vulnerable Seniors

Addressing the Vulnerable Housing Infrastructure of the Elderly Population

As the aging demographic continues to expand, the residential safety of elderly individuals living alone has emerged as a significant social challenge. Many vulnerable seniors face daily inconveniences due to malfunctioning household fixtures but leave them unresolved due to financial burdens or limited accessibility. Statistics highlight that a substantial portion of the elderly population resides in older, deteriorating houses in traditional urban districts. According to official data from the National Assembly Research Service and Statistics Korea, older homes aged 30 years or more accounted for approximately 29% (164,329 units) of the total housing supply in Gwangju as of the end of last year, heavily concentrated in areas with a high density of elderly residents.

To address these practical living hazards, civic organizations have continuous initiatives to improve local living conditions. Among these is the "Gocheo-dream" (Home Repair) Project managed by the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju Branch.


Cumulative Performance: 65 Technical Custom Support Operations Over 9 Months

Launched in August of last year, the "Gocheo-dream" initiative delivers localized, minor home repair services directly to senior citizens living alone, vulnerable households, and the families of national veterans. From its inception through May 2026, the branch mobilized a total of 185 volunteers to conduct 65 specific repair operations, distributing 130 pieces of essential support materials.

The technical interventions carried out over the nine-month period include:

  • Lighting Infrastructure: 30 cases of light bulb and fixture replacements.

  • Electrical Safety: 6 cases of outlet and switch replacements.

  • Sanitation & Plumbing: 15 cases of bathroom and kitchen faucet replacements.

  • Accident Prevention: 10 cases of safety grab bar installations.

  • General Maintenance: 29 cases of miscellaneous household repairs, including door handles, hinges, and front door restorations.

Preventing Domestic Slip-and-Fall Accidents Among High-Risk Groups

These targeted home repairs are directly connected to preventing domestic physical injuries among senior citizens. Data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) indicates that falls account for the highest percentage (72.5%) of injury-related hospitalizations among seniors aged 75 and older, with 51.6% of those incidents occurring directly inside the home.

Kim Jin-ong, the team leader overseeing the operations, explained that the program was initiated after noticing elderly parents delaying minor household repairs. Kim noted that on-site interactions often involve confirming whether the service is entirely free of charge, followed by deep expressions of gratitude from the recipients once the repairs are finalized.

Community Cooperation Across Professional and General Voluntarism

The "Gocheo-dream" initiative is sustained through the participation of both certified technical professionals and ordinary office workers. The participating volunteers learn essential technical skills such as electrical wiring and wallpapering, utilizing their evenings after work or their weekends to conduct the repairs.

Kim Jin-ong emphasized that residential safety for the elderly extends beyond simple convenience, as it is fundamentally linked to health, protection, and systematic care. The Gwangju Branch plans to continuously execute these targeted maintenance operations, focusing on households that require immediate, practical assistance.


Source: https://vo.la/qaJInri

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