Learn from ageing South Korea to help our senior citizens

A RECENT CNN report describes the problems South Korea is facing as an aged society; it has been classified as such under United Nations criteria, as more than 14% of South Koreans are above the age of 65.

About 60% of South Koreans do not qualify for the national pension and cannot support themselves financially, according to the report (tinyurl.com/cnn-elderly).

According to Cho Youn Oh, a professor and criminologist in Seoul’s Donggak University, “With no jobs to allow the elderly to contribute to society, they feel disconnected and this could lead to animosity towards others, depression and antisocial behaviour”.

People with more connections to society and who have jobs tend to be mentally and emotionally more stable.

According to the article, there has been a 45% increase in crimes committed by Koreans above the age of 65.

These include serious crimes such as rape arson, and robbery. The number of cases increased from about 1,000 in 2013 to more than 1,800 in 2017 – a 70% increase.

It is only a matter of time before Malaysia faces such a scenario. There is much we can learn from the South Korean experience that will enable us to take timely measures to avoid such consequences.

M. GANESHADEVA Kuala Lumpur