{"id":2202673,"date":"2023-11-09T17:20:26","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T08:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202673"},"modified":"2023-11-10T18:47:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T09:47:50","slug":"ageism-in-the-fast-lane-south-koreas-contentious-subway-and-airport-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/11\/ageism-in-the-fast-lane-south-koreas-contentious-subway-and-airport-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"Ageism in the fast lane: South Korea\u2019s contentious subway and airport debate"},"content":{"rendered":"

As South Korea grappled with a <\/span>record-breaking heatwave<\/span><\/a> this summer, Incheon International Airport, the country\u2019s largest, became an unlikely gathering spot for the nation\u2019s senior citizens. However, the increasing presence of senior citizens in such a setting has stirred diverse opinions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some members of the public are apprehensive, worried about the <\/span>perception among foreign visitors<\/span><\/a>. Conversely, others highlight the lack of welfare support for South Korea\u2019s active senior citizens and the prevailing ageism that might be pushing them toward these unconventional public spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

Data from the state-run airport railroad company reveals a notable trend. An average daily count of 1,330 senior visitors at Incheon International Airport in July, a significant <\/span>32.6% increase<\/span><\/a> from the same period the previous year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several factors contribute to this surge in elderly visitors. The airport\u2019s <\/span>air-conditioned environment<\/span><\/a> is a refreshing alternative to the oppressive outdoor heat. Recent <\/span>increases in electricity costs<\/span><\/a> have made the free cooling of the airport an appealing respite for many.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, South Korea\u2019s policy of offering <\/span>free subway rides<\/span><\/a> for those over 65 has facilitated these airport visits. Benefiting from this perk, seniors from as far as Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and even remote rural towns have made their way to the airport.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

A busy bus in Seoul, Feb. 2008 | Image: Jung Moon via Flickr<\/a> (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED)<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

DISREGARDED DEMOGRAPHIC<\/b><\/p>\n

Senior citizens in South Korea, despite the country\u2019s rapid economic development, are facing an uphill battle when it comes to <\/span>accessing appropriate leisure options<\/span><\/a>. A close look at the system highlights a glaring imbalance in how the elderly are catered to post-retirement.<\/span><\/p>\n

The South Korean government\u2019s efforts have predominantly leaned toward providing financial support to its aging population, with other critical aspects, such as welfare infrastructure and social support networks to enhance mental health, left in the periphery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the $17.9 billion (<\/span>23.489 trillion won<\/span><\/a>) budget earmarked for elderly welfare in 2023, about 80.4% is dedicated to national pension payouts. The residual funds, instead of diversifying the experiences of the elderly, are more skewed toward healthcare for those grappling with severe ailments like dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a nation that boasts about 4,000 care homes and nursing facilities, a mere <\/span>366<\/span><\/a> centers exist to promote diverse social and educational programs tailored to the mentally and physically agile senior community. To compound this, many seniors in their 60s and 70s feel sidelined, opining that these centers often prioritize much older age groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s economic prosperity has increased life expectancies, resulting in a burgeoning segment of \u201c<\/span>active seniors<\/span><\/a>\u201d \u2014 individuals aged 65 to 75, who shun sedentary lifestyles and are eager to integrate with society through various activities post-retirement.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the current welfare framework, which predominantly caters to the infirm elderly, inadvertently overlooks this dynamic group. This oversight has raised alarms among experts, suggesting a connection between the limited leisure opportunities available to active seniors and their alarmingly high suicide rates \u2014 rates that are approximately <\/span>three times higher<\/span><\/a> than the average of those in Organizations for Economic Cooperation and Development countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

A Korean subway carriage, Feb. 2017 | Image: PXHere<\/a> (CC0 1.0 DEED<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

SUBWAY\u2019S SENIOR SUBSIDY<\/b><\/p>\n

In South Korea, when citizens turn 65 they are entitled to free subway rides \u2013 a benefit that many might consider modest but has been credited with mitigating rates of depression and suicide among the elderly.<\/span><\/p>\n

By facilitating greater mobility, the policy encourages older adults to engage in social interactions, hiking and other activities. According to a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> from the Korea Transport Institute, this aids the mental well-being of the elderly and also reduces healthcare costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the sustainability of this benefit is under scrutiny. A recent <\/span>Gallup Korea survey<\/span><\/a> suggests a prevailing sentiment for pushing the eligibility age from 65 to 70. This shift in public opinion comes against the backdrop of rising economic challenges and concerns about the financial viability of the free-ride system.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a move to address growing deficits attributed in part to this free ride benefit, the Seoul metropolitan government <\/span>increased the basic fare<\/span><\/a> for subway rides in the greater Seoul area on Oct. 7 \u2014 the first such increase in eight years.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision hasn\u2019t been received warmly by <\/span>younger generations<\/span><\/a>, who perceive it as an added financial burden to support a benefit they don\u2019t yet enjoy.<\/span>The discourse has been further <\/span>intensified<\/span><\/a> by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who publicly attributed the subway operator\u2019s financial woes to the complimentary rides for seniors. The growing number of elderly taking advantage of the subway system to travel has fueled debate about potential revisions to the eligibility criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Citizens crossing the street in Seoul, Oct. 2018 | Image: NK News<\/p><\/div>\n

NO COUNTRY FOR SENIORS<\/b><\/p>\n

The debate surrounding South Korea\u2019s free subway ride system isn\u2019t just about economics. It\u2019s reflective of a broader societal trend that increasingly views retired seniors as a societal liability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disparaging sentiments toward the elderly are not new in South Korean society, with <\/span>discriminatory terms<\/span><\/a> having gained traction. Such ageist attitudes reached a disturbing manifestation with the recent emergence of \u201c<\/span>no senior zone<\/span><\/a>\u201d cafes, establishments that explicitly prohibit the entry of individuals over 60.<\/span><\/p>\n

This undercurrent of ageism isn\u2019t limited to cultural or societal spheres; it\u2019s making its presence felt in politics too, particularly within the main opposition Democratic Party (DP). Recently, Kim Eun-kyung \u2014 the DP\u2019s controversial former innovation committee head \u2014 sparked controversy when she <\/span>implied<\/span><\/a> that votes cast by older individuals should carry less weight than those of younger citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s sentiments, contentious as they were, found support within her party. Yang-yi Won-young, also a DP lawmaker, <\/span>echoed<\/span><\/a> a similar sentiment on social media. She stressed the importance of younger generations having more say in their future, noting that many of the elderly voters influencing current policies \u201cwon\u2019t even be around in the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

A quiet Seoul street in Dec. 2020 | Image: NK News<\/p><\/div>\n

AGING CHALLENGES<\/b><\/p>\n

The atmosphere in South Korea is tense for its elderly population. Between limited recreational opportunities, debates over free subway rides, and undeniable ageism in public and political discourse, seniors in the country <\/span>often feel marginalized<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parks and airports<\/span><\/a> stand out as the few places where the elderly can seek refuge and respite, away from the scrutinizing gaze of a society that increasingly views them as out of place.<\/span><\/p>\n

The current trajectory is worrisome. By 2025, South Korea is predicted to be a super-aged society. In such a society, individuals over 65 would constitute 20% of the total population, according to <\/span>government estimates<\/span><\/a>. What\u2019s even more striking is the <\/span>speed<\/span><\/a> at which South Korea is approaching this demographic milestone, outpacing other countries such as Japan and the U.K.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the surge of elderly individuals seeking solace in places like airports, coupled with alarming statistics regarding their well-being \u2014 from high suicide and <\/span>poverty rates<\/span><\/a> to pervasive feelings of isolation \u2014 paints a stark picture. These indicators suggest that South Korea is <\/span>not adequately prepared<\/span><\/a> to support its rapidly aging population.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Culture & Society<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As South Korea grappled with a record-breaking heatwave this summer, Incheon International Airport, the country\u2019s largest, became an unlikely gathering spot for the nation\u2019s 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. 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