[오늘 아침 신문] Retirement age extension sparked by 9 million ‘Group Generation’

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This morning’s newspaper begins.

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Let’s first look at an article that says that social problems may arise when the so-called ‘Generation Generation’, which is close to 9 million people in their 50s and 60s, reaches retirement age.

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This is Chosun Ilbo.

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As of August this year, there were 8.96 million wage workers in their 50s or older nationwide, accounting for 40% of the total.

There is an increase of 3.48 million from 10 years ago.

People in their 50s who have been supporting parents in their 80s and 90s and children in their 20s and 30s at the same time may reach retirement age without being able to adequately prepare for retirement.

Many people hope to work more after retirement age until they receive the national pension.

In particular, there are concerns that the large-scale retirement of the younger generation, which accounts for more than 18% of the total population, may lead to a decline in consumption and reduce economic vitality.

Additionally, welfare costs, such as social care costs, are likely to increase exponentially.

In industries where it is difficult to find people or where skilled technicians are needed, some companies are breaking down the 60-year retirement age barrier.

Hiring older workers is an unavoidable task, but there are also concerns that the increased cost burden on companies could lead to a decline in youth recruitment and management.

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Next is the Seoul Shinmun.

The article states that cartoon cafes, which are mainly used by teenagers, are effectively establishing themselves as ‘youth motels’ by providing enclosed spaces, taking advantage of blind spots in enforcement.

When I visited a cartoon cafe near an elementary, middle, or high school in the metropolitan area, I found that I could use the so-called ‘Netflix room’ by paying only 3,600 won per hour.

When I turned off the lights, I couldn’t see anything inside the room, and there were even blankets.

Videos filmed at these comics cafes are being distributed on illegal sites based on overseas servers.

If you search for the keyword ‘cartoon cafe’ on an adult site with a server in the United States, over 1,000 videos will appear, including quite a few videos featuring people believed to be minors.

The newspaper reported that although teenage boys and girls sleeping together in comics cafes is subject to punishment under the Youth Protection Act, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family does not even classify this as a separate type of crackdown.

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Next is the Hankyoreh.

As the problem of students’ declining literacy skills has emerged as an issue, changes are being felt on the private education front in Daechi-dong, Seoul.

Essay and reading academies are said to be as popular as English kindergartens or major subject academies for preschool children aged 4 to 7.

It takes one to two years to wait to get into a famous essay writing academy, and course applications close in less than a minute.

One academy is focusing on promoting that it allows children to solve the Korean language test for the CSAT starting from elementary school.

Since sustainability is important in literacy, it is important to make children like reading and writing.

The newspaper reported that there are concerns that if children go to academies too young, they will tire quickly and their attitude toward learning may change negatively.

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Next is the Joseon economy.

The article states that actual insurance losses are rapidly increasing every year due to overtreatment at some medical institutions.

There are many cases where non-covered medical services, such as manual therapy and vitamin injections, are not subject to strict management and supervision by health authorities.

Medical institutions make a profit by recommending uncompensated treatment to patients, and patients have nothing to lose since it is covered by insurance anyway.

Actual loss insurance premiums paid for non-covered physical therapy have increased every year, reaching 1.562 trillion won as of August this year alone.

In particular, the actual loss insurance money paid out for manual therapy amounted to 4.48 trillion won.

The newspaper emphasized the urgent need to strengthen regulations and reorganize the structure of actual loss insurance products, as excessive uncompensated physical therapy can result in a burden on the public’s medical expenses.

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Lastly, let’s look at local newspaper articles.

This is Jeonbuk Domin Ilbo.

You can’t find autumn leaves at Naejangsan Mountain in Jeongeup, which is known as the best autumn foliage spot in Korea.

The first fall foliage day on Naejangsan Mountain in a typical year is October 20th, and the peak day when more than 80% of the fall foliage is observed is November 4th.

The daily temperature difference must increase for autumn leaves to change color, but this year’s hot summer weather and unprecedented fall heat wave led to news that the autumn leaves’ blooming was being delayed.

Until now, it was ‘This Morning Newspaper’.

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