January 14-23, highway accident victims and their families
Operating period of 11 months, expanding 1:1 face-to-face customized psychological counseling near residence
Highway accident victims and their families can now access expanded mental health support, as a programme called ‘Hug Dream’ begins recruiting participants between January 14th and 23rd. This initiative offers crucial psychological treatment to those grappling with the aftermath of traumatic highway incidents.
the ‘Hug Dream’ program, established in 2020, is open to individuals classified with severe disabilities resulting from highway accidents – including those occurring during construction or maintenance – as well as their family members, and the families of those who have died in such incidents.
Easing Emotional scars After the Highway
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The ‘Hug Dream’ program aims to improve emotional stability and strengthen family relationships for those impacted by highway-related accidents.
The program is designed to address the psychological difficulties experienced by victims and their families, fostering emotional resilience and healthier family dynamics. Data from 2025 reveals a significant positive impact: the proportion of participants reporting stable psychological status increased by 15 percentage points, rising from 73% to 88%, while the number considered “at risk” more than halved, dropping from 27% to 12%.
Expanded Support and Accessibility
This year marks an expansion of the program’s reach. The operating period has been extended from eight months (March to October) to eleven months (February to December). A key enhancement is the provision of 1:1 face-to-face counseling, strategically matched with counselors located near participants’ residences to maximize convenience and effectiveness.
Beyond standard counseling, ‘Hug dream’ offers tailored support, including phone or in-home consultations, assistance with parent-child relationships, and career guidance for students.
Interested individuals can access the participation form on the Expressway Scholarship Foundation website (www.hsf.or.kr) and submit it via email to [email protected].
Broader Commitment to Accident Recovery
Since 1998,the Korea Expressway Corporation has awarded approximately 13.4 billion won in scholarships to 7,274 individuals.’Hug Dream’ is just one component of a wider range of programs designed to help highway accident victims rebuild their lives and achieve independence.
upcoming initiatives include the launch of the ‘Stand Up’ employment support program in January, followed by ‘Future Dream’ (certification cost assistance) in April, ‘Vision Camp’ (international travel) in May, ‘Hope Dream’ (rehabilitation cost support) in July, and highway scholarship opportunities in September.
An official from the Korea Expressway Corporation stated, “We will continue to make efforts to help victims who are experiencing psychological difficulties due to highway accidents recover their daily lives and move toward a hopeful future.”
