"한 번 다치면 몇 달, 몇 년이 날아가요" 열심히 일해서 갚으려 해도 노인들이 파산하는 이유 | 추적60분 KBS 260529 방송

South Korea, a country where people must work until the latest age. An old age with no room for rest. However, the end of that labor was not a "stable retirement," but "bankruptcy." Last year, the proportion of the elderly aged 60 or older among personal bankruptcy applicants reached 51.42%, exceeding half. Among those applying for re-bankruptcy, one in two was also over the age of 60. The proportion of bankruptcies among the elderly is increasing every year. The Baby Boomer generation has worked tirelessly their entire lives to support their families. Why are they collapsing at the end of their twilight years, burdened with debt? "Tracking 60 Minutes" looked into the reality of people who have lived their lives faithfully but are ultimately being driven into bankruptcy in their old age. ▣ The Shaking Safety Net for Retirement “As I get older, my income decreases, then disappears... ...Now, I am just living because I cannot die.” Mr. Lee Tae-su (pseudonym) (72 years old) - The lives of the elderly do not easily recover even after bankruptcy discharge. A cycle of drifting between unstable, low-wage jobs or relying on debt again to make ends meet repeats itself. According to the Seoul Financial Welfare Counseling Center, the proportion of so-called "re-bankrupts"—those undergoing bankruptcy proceedings again—among bankruptcy applicants is 10.6%. Of these, 69% were found to be the elderly aged 60 or older. "Tracking 60 Minutes" met with Mr. Lee Tae-su (pseudonym), who is receiving counseling at the Seoul Financial Welfare Counseling Center. A former taxi driver, he quit his job due to a panic disorder and subsequently became burdened with debt resulting from fraud. Describing himself as "living because he cannot die," he eventually chose to file for bankruptcy for the second time. An expert pointed out, "Bankruptcy discharge is merely a procedure to settle debt issues; it does not resolve poverty itself," adding, "Unless the fundamental structure of poverty is supported, bankruptcy discharge will inevitably remain nothing more than a temporary measure." South Korea ranks first in the OECD for elderly poverty rates. In South Korea, which has entered a super-aged society, poverty among the elderly is no longer an unfamiliar sight. "Tracking 60 Minutes" investigated the background of the rising number of bankruptcies among the elderly and the reality of seniors driven to the brink. Copyright ⓒ KBS. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use (including AI learning) are prohibited. Since 1983, Korea's first investigative program Tracking the truth through the lens of common sense Every Friday night at 10 PM on KBS1, "Tracking 60 Minutes" ✔ Tips: 010-4828-0203 / Tracking 60 Minutes Website / [email protected] ▶ Website: https://program.kbs.co.kr/2tv/culture... ▶ KakaoTalk Channel: http://pf.kakao.com/_fxgiyxj