A series of tragic fire incidents in South Korea have been linked to individuals with hoarding disorders, raising interest and awareness of the condition characterized by persistent difficulty in discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value.

The excessive accumulation of items creates hazardous living conditions, leading to increased fire risks. On Feb. 26, a fire broke out in a single-room apartment in Buk-gu, Busan. Noticing the smell of burning, the landlord entered the unit and found a woman in her 50s lying dead beside her bed. Authorities later found that the room was filled with approximately one ton of waste. Investigations suggested that the individual, who had a compulsive hoarding disorder, had been smoking indoors, inadvertently igniting the fire.

On the same day, a similar incident occurred in an officetel in Haeundae-gu, Busan, resulting in the death of a woman in her 40s. Reports indicate that she was known to local authorities due to her hoarding tendencies. Investigators believe that a malfunctioning temperature control lamp ignited flammable materials accumulated in her residence, leading to the fatal fire.

Another fire in Incheon the same evening claimed the life of a man in his 70s. Neighbors reported that a member of the household had long been living with hoarding disorder. Due to the man's physical impairments, he was unable to evacuate in time, leading to his tragic death.

Hoarding disorder is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that prevents individuals from discarding possessions, leading to excessive clutter that interferes with daily life.

Unlike simple collecting or messy living conditions, hoarding disorder poses severe health and safety risks, including fire hazards, structural damage and unsanitary environments.

Research suggests that hoarding disorder is three times more prevalent among older people than younger individuals. However, economic instability and social isolation have contributed to an increasing number of younger individuals exhibiting similar behaviors.

The number of socially isolated individuals living in hoarded environments is rising. Many of these individuals have underlying psychological and mental health issues that contribute to compulsive hoarding behaviors.

Although the government has introduced cleaning services and psychological interventions, current policies mainly focus on improving living conditions rather than addressing the root causes. Experts argue that without a comprehensive approach, hoarding disorder will continue to pose a threat to public health and safety.

There is no national study specifically tracking hoarding disorder in South Korea, making it difficult to assess its true prevalence. However, data from the National Health Insurance Service indicates that the number of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients, which includes those with hoarding disorder, rose by 42 percent from 28,187 in 2018 to 40,042 in 2022. The actual number of individuals with a hoarding disorder is believed to be even higher.

As the elderly population grows, an increasing number of older adults with hoarding disorders are at risk of solitary deaths. Despite being considered a vulnerable population group, they often fall outside the scope of current welfare programs.

Existing policies to prevent solitary deaths focus on regular welfare visits and care services, but these measures do not account for the hazardous living conditions of hoarders. The accumulation of objects often prevents social workers and health officials from accessing their homes, further exacerbating their isolation.

Park Boa, head of a non-profit organization that supports individuals at risk of solitary death in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, emphasized that hoarding disorder among isolated individuals is a serious issue.

“The problem is not just about cleaning up the garbage. These individuals are often struggling with depression, lethargy, bipolar disorder and emotional distress,” she told The Korea Herald. The causes range from financial difficulties to social disconnection and even family estrangement, she added.

“Without addressing these root issues, sustainable solutions remain elusive.”

Given the risks associated with hoarding disorder, local governments in South Korea have implemented cleaning assistance programs and psychological support services to mitigate its effects. However, such efforts remain insufficient due to challenges in securing the consent of affected individuals. Even when intervention programs are successfully carried out, symptoms often recur, making long-term treatment difficult.

Therefore, early intervention is needed. Identifying symptoms early and seeking mental health support can prevent excessive accumulation from worsening. Community support is another prevention method, as encouraging social interaction and reducing isolation can help individuals feel less dependent on material possessions.

Local governments have introduced housing improvement programs, but many of these initiatives are one-time interventions, lacking long-term follow-up. While some municipalities have combined home improvement efforts with psychological counseling, identifying and reaching those most affected remains a significant challenge.

Experts stress that hoarding disorder should not be treated solely as a housing issue but as a mental health crisis requiring long-term intervention. “Clearing out the hoarded items is important, but unless we address the psychological and social issues, the cycle will inevitably repeat,” Park said.

She further noted that individuals suffering from severe depression often struggle with basic daily tasks, such as seeking medical help or obtaining food assistance.

“Many of them know they need to go to a hospital but cannot bring themselves to do so. Some find it difficult even to leave their homes to collect free meal assistance. Currently, cleaning services, mental health treatments, and social welfare programs operate independently, limiting their effectiveness. We need an integrated system that manages hoarding disorder cases holistically, addressing both its causes and its impact,” she urged.

Hoarding disorder is not merely a habit but a serious mental health issue that requires medical and societal attention. With proper awareness and intervention, both individual well-being and public safety can be significantly improved.