"IJoonseok, Criticized Harshly by Senior Citizens' Association President for Not Understanding Life Due to No Marriage or Children"

"Not getting married, not raising children, not managing a household, and idling away in politics, so they spout nonsense without understanding the ways of the world."

On the 22nd, Kim Ho-il, President of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, held a press conference at the Korea Senior Citizens Association Central Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, condemning the "absurd remarks on abolishing free subway rides for the elderly," directed at Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party.

Kim Ho-il, President of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, is speaking at the senior policy meeting hosted by the People Power Party on the era of 10 million seniors held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

President Kim criticized Lee, saying, "Withdraw your pledge immediately and apologize to the 10 million elderly people," and added, "Making absurd remarks based on the shallow calculation that 'if we hit the elderly, young voters won't come to me,' how can such an irresponsible person engage in politics?"

At the press conference, President Kim rebutted Lee's statement that "free rides for the elderly cause an annual cost of 800 billion won," arguing that blaming the subway deficit on free rides for the elderly is incorrect. He pointed out, "Whether passengers ride or not, the same electricity cost is incurred for railway operation," and said, "Subways allow free rides for the disabled and children, so does it run at a loss when the elderly ride? The subway runs even if the elderly do not ride."

He further stated, "To deny benefits to the elderly, who are the top contributors that overcame the difficult times of scarcity, achieved the Miracle on the Han River, and made our country one of the top 10 economies, is abuse."

He also argued that the free subway rides for the elderly bring happiness to daughters-in-law and families. Kim said, "Because elderly people ride trains for free, they go out, and the daughters-in-law at home feel a comfortable happiness since the elders are out," adding, "(Abolishing free subway rides) is a proposal to deprive daughters-in-law of their right to happiness."

Moreover, he emphasized, "As the elderly go out and walk and exercise, it naturally becomes a 10,000-step exercise, improving their health. There is also a report that 400 billion won in annual medical expenses have been saved," and stressed, "Because the elderly are healthy, happiness dwells in the family."

Lee Jun-seok, Chairman of the Reform New Party's Policy Committee, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 'New Future Party Founding General Assembly' held on the 16th at Seoul Women's Plaza in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The free subway ride system for the elderly was introduced in 1984 and has continued for 40 years. At the time of its introduction, the proportion of elderly people aged 65 and over was in the 4% range, and subway ridership was not high, so the financial burden was not significant. However, as society rapidly ages and the financial deficits of urban railway corporations in local governments increase, debates over pros and cons continue.

Earlier, on the 18th, the Reform New Party announced a general election pledge to abolish free subway rides for those aged 65 and over and instead introduce a prepaid transportation card charged with 10,000 won monthly. They also proposed that once the charged amount is used up, public transportation could be used at a fare discounted by about 40%, similar to the current discount rate applied to youth. On the day the pledge was announced, President Kim issued a statement opposing it, calling it "the reckless act of creating a party of filth."