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K orea may be the land of Samsung and K-pop, but it’s also a land of pov- erty, especially for many members of the older generations. The country ranked 50th for elderly well-being on HelpAge International’s Global AgeWatch Index of 96 countries, next after China and Kyrgyzstan. While it may not be surprising that Korea fell behind first-ranked country Norway — or even the United States (8), the U.K. (11) and Australia (13) — its Asian neighbors Thai- land, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Vietnam also outranked Korea, which has the 15th largest econ- omy in the world. According to the OECD’s 2012 Economic Survey, nearly half of Koreans aged 65 or older live below the poverty line. Meanwhile, the suicide rate for older Koreans has nearly quadrupled in recent years, making Korea’s elderly suicide rate one of the highest in the developed world. Yet recent analysis on the East Asian Forum website presents some startling statistics: Current figures from the Fi- nance Ministry show that only 0.26 percent of this year’s budget was allocated to aid and services for the elderly. Old people receive a maximum pension of $83 per month and the pension age of 60 is gradually being increased to 65. Groove Korea spoke to Kore- ans in Seoul to find out why so many elderly people are poor and what should be done about it. www.groovekorea.com / December 2014 92 Edited by Jenny Na (jenny@groovekorea.com) COMMuNITy No country for old men Column and Photos by Chance Dorland / Illustration by Jonathan Burrello THE ELDERLy SACRIFICED FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR COuNTRy, BuT wHO’S HELPING THE M NOw? Groovecast host Chance Dorland hit the streets to get your opinions on elderly poverty in Korea. Subscribe to the GrooveCast for free in the iTunes Store or listen on GrooveKorea.com! ChANCE ENCOuNTERS