Health ministry keeps 129 hotline open around the clock for Chuseok
First Vice Minister Hyun Soo-youp visited the call center to thank staff and urge the public to check on isolated neighbors during the holiday.
The health ministry said Friday it will operate the 129 Welfare Counseling Center around the clock throughout the Chuseok holiday to support citizens facing crises.
First Vice Minister Hyun Soo-youp visited the center on September 18 to thank counselors and review emergency staffing plans.
"As everyone should have a bountiful holiday, loneliness and hardship may feel even greater for someone else, so please take another look to see if there are neighbors around you who need help," Hyun said. He added that calling 129 provides guidance on welfare systems, while difficulties can be reported through the Welfare Crisis Alert app.
The center handles inquiries on income security, welfare services and healthy living via phone, video calls, KakaoTalk and a government chatbot. It also operates line 109 for suicide prevention counseling, maintaining a three-shift system 365 days a year.
To boost awareness, the ministry released a promotional video featuring the slogans "When it's hard, 129" and "When you're stuck, 129." The footage began airing on YouTube on September 18.
What this article is based on
Every fact in this article can be checked against the primary documents below.
- Government보건복지부 정부 보도자료· Ministry of Health and Welfare· accessed Sept. 19, 2026
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