NPR: A Portrait of Poverty and Aging in South Korea

National Public Radio so often makes one think, with a crisp, well-told story about something entirely new.  That is true in their recent airing of A Forgotten Generation: Half of South Korea’s Elderly Live in Poverty.  And yet the on-line article that accompanies the short podcast, proved to be equally compelling, with a photo of a very long line of neatly-dressed, attractive, older South Koreans, some wearing colorful backpacks, one leaning on an umbrella or cane, who are waiting patiently for a weekly disbursement from a local church of 500 won coins, equal to about 50 cents.  Not just profound poverty, but loneliness is clearly a factor.

With thanks to my colleague Laurel Terry for sharing the link.