Elderly with Nowhere to Go... "We Are Pigeons Lost in a City Without a Destination"

Morning Coffee, Afternoon Daytime Drinks Are the Only Plans
Even Going to the Welfare Center Costs Money... 60s Also 'Younger Siblings'
'No Senior Zone' Brings "Expected but Sad" Feelings

On the morning of the 25th at 9 a.m., the area near Jongno 3-ga Station in Seoul was filled with office workers heading to work. Each person was either walking while chatting with the person next to them or talking on their mobile phones. However, the area near Tapgol Park, just a short walk from Exit 1 of Jongno 3-ga Station, was quiet. The only beings walking around were elderly people who appeared to be well over 70 years old, truck drivers and self-employed vendors moving food supplies to prepare for business, a few young people suffering from hangovers after drinking until morning, and pigeons.

A cafe near Tapgol Park visited on the 25th. It is a place where elderly people often come from the morning due to the affordable coffee prices.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

Mr. Son Jung-ho (81, male) was watching these scenes from a corner of a cafe located on 'Songhae-gil' next to Tapgol Park. Introducing himself as the 'boss of Jongno 1-ga,' Mr. Son comes to the cafe every morning at 9 a.m. wearing a neat gray suit and a white hat adorned with a veterans' medal emblem. He does not come to work. For 2,000 won, he can enjoy steaming hot coffee under a cool air conditioner. Although there is a warning sign that says, "Please keep calls and conversations quiet for others," no significant restrictions are imposed even if people talk loudly. The cafe owner ignores the jokes of the chuckling elderly without much reaction.

Mr. Son explained that the cafe, which acts as a 'senior zone' more than anywhere else, is perfect for starting the day’s routine. He said, "I stay at this cafe until lunchtime, then go to eat," adding, "The cafe is the only place where you can stay for a long time by paying 2,000 won. As you get older, enduring the heat becomes harder, so where else can you find such good air conditioning?"

Those with tighter budgets head to cheaper places. McDonald's. For 1,500 won, you can order a coffee and stay seated for a long time. Since many elderly people visit the McDonald's next to Tapgol Park, it is a place without even the common kiosks. Mr. Son avoids such McDonald's. He said, "I go to McDonald's only occasionally; it’s crowded and noisy there, so I don’t go often," adding, "Although it costs 500 won more, I’m grateful for the current situation where I can pay my own money to drink warm coffee in a quiet place."

If 2,000 Won for a Cup of Coffee Is a Burden, Then McDonald's... Elderly Poverty Rate Nearly Three Times the OECD Average

How many elderly people are struggling so much that they find it hard to buy even a cup of coffee? As of 2021, South Korea’s elderly poverty rate was 37.6%. Although it has gradually improved from 46.5% in 2011, it still has a long way to go compared to other countries. According to 2019 data, the average elderly poverty rate among OECD countries was 13.5%, nearly three times lower than South Korea’s.

Low income levels cause elderly people to experience social exclusion and low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can further lead to extreme choices, which are a form of 'social murder.' In the paper "A Study on the Relationship Between Regional Socioeconomic Factors and Elderly Suicidal Thoughts" by Professor Choi Kwang-soo of Woosuk University’s Department of Health Care Management, it is pointed out that the higher the local cost of living index and absolute poverty rate, the more likely elderly people are to consider extreme choices. In fact, South Korea’s high suicide rate originates from the elderly. In 2021, the suicide rates per 100,000 people for those in their 70s and 80s were 41.8 and 61.3 respectively, both higher than the overall average of 26.

Drinking Coffee and Daytime Alcohol... The End of an Elderly Person’s Day

No matter how long a cafe allows you to stay, it’s not possible to remain for more than two hours. Mr. Son, who had already finished his coffee and was drinking water from his cup, stepped outside the cafe at 11 a.m. to have lunch with his juniors who had also served in the Vietnam War. His joy is drinking soju at a Korean buffet that costs about 8,000 won per meal. After a drink, he returns home by 3 p.m., watches television, and falls asleep by 6 p.m. This routine has repeated since his wife passed away eight years ago. Mr. Son said, "I sleep a lot, so it’s good."

It was not only the very old who repeated such routines. Mr. Kang (62, male), a 'young elderly' and a basic livelihood security recipient, also follows a similar daily routine. He wakes up at 7 a.m., rides his bicycle to Tapgol Park, drinks coffee, has a light lunch, and then goes sightseeing in Cheongnyangni. After getting some fresh air and returning home, it is 4 p.m. Mr. Kang said, "I have a lot of free time," adding, "I spend time on the computer at home until I fall asleep around 8 or 9 p.m."

Elderly People Say "Even If We Have Time, We Don’t Go to Senior Welfare Centers"... One Welfare Center in Seoul Serves an Average of 430 Elderly

They did not go to senior leisure and welfare facilities that provide education or leisure activities for the elderly. They were also afraid of expanding their social relationships anew. Mr. Son said, "If you go to places like senior centers and make new friends, it all costs money," adding, "You have to give money at funerals or children’s events, which becomes a big burden." Mr. Kang waved his hand dismissively, saying, "I’m only in my 60s, so what senior centers or welfare facilities?" He also said, "If you go, you get treated like a younger sibling and sometimes experience humiliating things," adding, "Even if I live past 90, I will never go to a senior center."

The reality is that there are simply not enough facilities. According to Seoul City, as of 2021, there were 3,869 senior leisure and welfare facilities in Seoul. The elderly population aged 65 and over in Seoul is 1,667,411, meaning each facility must serve an average of 430 elderly people. The gap between districts is clear. In Gwanak-gu, each senior leisure and welfare facility must serve 629 elderly people. This is followed by Gangdong-gu (576), Gangbuk-gu (561), and Songpa-gu (548). In contrast, Seongdong-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, and Mapo-gu only need to serve 270, 326, and 329 elderly people per facility, respectively.

"Elderly Without Money Become Like Pigeons"

On the 25th, an elderly man was crossing a crosswalk near Tapgol Park in Seoul. Nearby, pigeons were pecking at dust fallen on the ground.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

In this situation, elderly people encountered 'No Senior Zones.' On the 8th, an online community featured a cafe with a sign saying "No Senior Zone, Entry Restricted to Those 60 and Older." People showed various reactions. Some said, "Considering the rude behavior of some elderly, there must have been a reason," and "It’s the personal freedom of the business owner," while others complained, "Everyone will grow old, so this is excessive." After seeing the photo of the No Senior Zone, Mr. Kang nodded first. He said, "Many elderly people behave in ways that are absolutely unacceptable. I feel hatred toward the elderly and thus try to be careful with my own behavior." However, he added, "It’s not that there weren’t No Senior Zones before, but there are places that feel uncomfortable to go to."

Mr. Son pointed to pigeons wandering around Tapgol Park while briefly stepping outside the cafe to smoke. "Do you see those pigeons? Elderly people without money become like those pigeons. They wander aimlessly, looking for places to stay, cheaper or free food, just like pigeons. Who would welcome such pigeons?" Three minutes’ walk from the cafe, elderly people waiting for free meals were staring into the void.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.