Homeless population rises despite gov't welfare programs

SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- Despite the government's perennial efforts to reduce social bipolarization, the number of homeless people nationwide is on the rise, government data showed Sunday.
As of the end of June, a total of 4,403 people were classified as homeless, up from 4,187 people at the end of 2010, according to the data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to Rep. Yoo Jeong-bok of the ruling Grand National Party.



The data also showed a rise in the number of homeless people living on the streets, while the number of those living in shelters dropped from six months earlier.
Only 20 percent of the homeless population is taking part in programs designed to promote their independence, according to the data.
Meanwhile, the data highlighted the poor health conditions of the local homeless.
There were 3,476 reports of respiratory diseases and 3,420 diagnoses of high blood pressure. Diabetes came next with 1,386 reports, followed by 1,323 cases of digestive illnesses and 220 cases of alcohol addiction, the data showed.