광역 및 기초지방자치단체의 고독사 예방에 관한 조례 비교분석: 고독사 예방법을 중심으로

Abstract

This study focuses on the need for coordination between the government's Act on the Prevention and Management of Lonely Deaths and the ordinances of local governments. It distinguishes between metropolitan and local governments to examine their current status and characteristics. The study also proposes improvement suggestions for the amendment and enhancement of relevant ordinances. A total of 232 ordinances obtained from the Local Autonomous Regulations Information System of the National Law Information Center were analyzed using content analysis. The analysis framework categorized the ordinances into basic information, normative framework, and effectiveness system for comparative analysis.
 The analysis findings reveal several key insights. Firstly, in terms of basic information, the ordinance titles commonly combined terminologies related to lonely deaths, household types, and age criteria. Furthermore, the definitions of key terms related to lonely deaths in most local governments primarily focused on the end-of-life and post-end-of-life stages. Secondly, within the normative framework, the ordinances were structured to align with the provisions of the Act on the Prevention and Management of Lonely Deaths. However, many ordinances imposed limitations on the scope and requirements of policy targets, and some lacked explicit mention of residents' responsibilities or included arbitrary provisions for surveys.
 Thirdly, in the effectiveness system, support contents varied between metropolitan and local governments. While metropolitan governments emphasized preventive aspects such as early detection, local governments focused on counseling, well-being checks, technology utilization, and funeral support. Additionally, most support systems contained passive provisions, with the exception of clauses allowing financial support within budgetary limits. Notably, metropolitan governments explicitly mentioned the utilization of private resources, unlike local governments.
 Based on these analysis findings, the study proposes the following improvement suggestions for ordinances. Firstly, based on the Act on the Prevention and Management of Lonely Deaths, modifications and supplements are needed in the titles and definitions of ordinances. A comprehensive approach is required, expanding the scope of vulnerable groups susceptible to lonely deaths, considering various situational characteristics. Secondly, it is crucial to specify the support contents, delivery systems, and efforts to secure financial resources in the existing ordinances related to the prevention of lonely deaths. This will enable the integrated delivery of lonely death prevention services. To achieve this, the deployment, training, and expansion of specialized personnel, as well as the establishment of relevant centers, need to be expanded.