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When you ride the subway, you don't pay for senior citizens from the age of 65. However, in line with the large increase in the number of elderly people, the government was lucky to discuss how to raise this senior citizen's preferential age to 70.

This is reporter Deokki Yoo.

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Last year, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over in Korea was about 15%.

Due to the increase in life expectancy and the acceleration of low birth rates, this proportion will exceed 20% by 2025 and enter the ultra-aged society.

It is the fastest aging rate in the world.

Accordingly, the government decided to start discussions by creating a task force in order to improve the overall elderly preferential system while fostering aged-friendly industries and services.

Currently, age 65 and older are eligible for preferential treatment for the elderly and senior citizens under the Elderly Welfare Act.

From then on, various fare discounts such as subways, as well as welfare benefits are applied.

Retirement age adjustments can also affect other criteria such as retirement age, pension, employment, and welfare.

[Kim Yong-beom / 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance: In view of the changing social perception of the elderly's age as the average life expectancy increases and the level of health improves... .] As a

result of the survey on the elderly, the age standard for the elderly that the elderly think is the most, with 59.4% of those aged 70-74.

This perception is likely to change around the age of 70.

Starting discussions on improving the senior citizens' preferential system also has the purpose of reducing the financial burden of welfare for the elderly and continuing to engage the elderly in production activities.

However, as it is accepted as a reduction in several benefits for some classes, backlash and controversy are expected.

(Video coverage: Jung Seong-hwa, video editing: Choi Hye-young, CG: Bang Myung-hwan)