As South Korea grappled with a record-breaking heatwave this summer, Incheon International Airport, the country’s largest, became an unlikely gathering spot for the nation’s senior citizens. However, the increasing presence of senior citizens in such a setting has stirred diverse opinions.

Some members of the public are apprehensive, worried about the perception among foreign visitors. Conversely, others highlight the lack of welfare support for South Korea’s active senior citizens and the prevailing ageism that might be pushing them toward these unconventional public spaces.