By Lee Hyo-sik
A governing party lawmaker said Monday that there were nearly 79,000 senior citizens without a permanent residence across the country, with only 1 percent of them collecting state pension for the elderly.
Citing data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Rep. Son Sook-mee of the Grand National Party said the number of Koreans aged over 65 who do not register their residence with the government totaled 78,905 nationwide.
By municipality, Seoul topped the list at 30,836, followed by Gyeonggi Province at 13,714 and Busan at 7,566.
Even though they are entitled to various state subsidies and health insurance, Son said only 0.86 percent, or 679, were found to regularly receive a government pension, which pays low-income senior citizens up to 88,000 won per month.
“The elderly without a valid address can apply for the pension, which is designed to help senior citizens maintain a minimum standard of living. The ministry should actively carry out publicity campaigns to inform the elderly of the benefit, as well as expand welfare programs for them,” the lawmaker said.