Korea's older people find second life in alternative housing

As Korea enters the era of a "super-aged" society, many older people are discovering that old age now unfolds without the physical presence and care of family that once seemed assured — a stark shift in a country where, for generations, parents relied on their children in later life. One of them is Lim Dong-wook, 93, who once led a busy life as a successful businessman. But after retirement, his world became quieter. His social contacts faded, and he found himself spending most days alone. His son frequently travels abroad for work, and his two daughters live in the United States. With no one around to share meals or check in on him, Lim subsisted on snacks and quick bites — a routine that eventually impacted his health. Last year, he collapsed at home and had to rely on a wheelchair. "It was a tough time. Life doesn’t go the way you want," Lim said. So Chin-tae, 88, a retired Air Force lieutenant general and former superintendent of the Air Force Academy, tells a similar story. As a fighter jet pilot in a highly competitive field, he devoted his youth entirely to military service,Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times