[Report] "Just Watching People" Tapgol Park Closed for Over a Year, Yet Elderly Still Can't Leave

Closed for Over 1 Year and 4 Months Since February Last Year
Elderly Still Visit the Park's Outskirts
Senior Welfare Facilities Reduced After COVID-19 Spread
Gathering at Tapgol Park with Affordable Food and Crowds

On the 29th, Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was firmly closed. / Photo by Im Ju-hyung skepped@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] "Oh my, long time no see.", "You should have a cup of coffee."

Recently, two elderly men met and warmly greeted each other on the outskirts of Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul. After drawing two cups of mix coffee worth 100 won each from a coffee vending machine installed near the park, they began to chat.

Although Tapgol Park has been closed for over a year since the spread of COVID-19, the area near the park is still bustling with elderly people. The seniors who visit Tapgol Park say they come to this place to soothe their hunger and loneliness. While the prices of food at famous restaurants in Seoul are a heavy burden on the elderly's income, Tapgol Park offers free meals and other services to help them get by.

The front and back gates of Tapgol Park remain firmly closed, with only a notice posted saying, "To prevent COVID-19 infection, use of Tapgol Park is suspended. We ask for your understanding." The park was closed on February 20 last year due to the risk of COVID-19 infection and has not reopened even after one year and four months.

Elderly people are gathered near Tapgol Park early in the morning.
Photo by Im Ju-hyeong

However, the elderly still visit Tapgol Park. Groups of 4 to 5 seniors gather outside the park walls, drinking coffee together and chatting, or having a late breakfast at a nearby gukbap (soup with rice) restaurant.

A man in his 70s, Mr. A, who has been visiting Tapgol Park for several years, explained, "It's just that the old folks don't come out in the morning, but by lunchtime, this area is bustling with elderly people. This is a place where people like us gather."

The reason the elderly cannot leave Tapgol Park is loneliness. Mr. A said, "The people who gather here are all those who have already lost their influence long ago, forgotten people. If we don't meet and talk like this sometimes, we can't live. Even among them, few have friends; most just sit and watch people before leaving."

Financial circumstances also make it difficult for the elderly to leave Tapgol Park. Another man in his 70s, Mr. B, said, "Haircuts here cost half of what they do downtown, and lunch can be had for 3,000 won. For people without decent jobs, there's no better place than this."

Elderly people resting in the shade / Photo by Juhyung Lim skepped@

Mr. C, in his 60s, who lives alone away from family, said, "How much money do elderly people with nowhere to go have? They can get by with a cup of coffee and a bowl of hangover soup for breakfast and lunch. During free meal events held occasionally, people crowd here to get their share."

The continuous flow of elderly visitors to Tapgol Park is also linked to the reduction in operation of welfare facilities for the elderly due to the spread of COVID-19.

Senior centers have been used as places for social and emotional exchange for the elderly by operating various leisure programs and providing free meals. However, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, many have been closed for extended periods since last year. According to Seoul City, as of early this month, only 1,418 out of 3,468 senior centers in Seoul (40.9%) were open.

Recently, with vaccination starting mainly among the elderly and Seoul's social distancing level lowered to level 2, welfare facilities are gradually reopening. However, since vaccination rates vary by district, the level of reopening also differs.

Below the closure notice of Tapgol Park, the phrase "Chamja Innae is bitter" is written. / Photo by Juhyung Lim skepped@

Meanwhile, Seoul City plans to accelerate the expansion of elderly welfare facility usage.

On the 4th, Seoul City announced that it would expand the use of welfare facilities such as welfare centers and senior centers for elderly people who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Accordingly, all 79 elderly welfare centers in Seoul will fully reopen from July, and senior centers will reopen sequentially considering the situation of each district.

Kim Seon-soon, Director of Seoul City's Welfare Policy Office, said, "The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant isolation and depression among elderly people unable to use welfare facilities. Seoul City will help vaccinated seniors return to facilities and regain a healthy daily life. We will actively encourage the reopening of closed facilities to prevent unnecessary anxiety from interrupting welfare services and expand various programs to support the daily recovery of the elderly."