韓国自殺率第一位: 沒有錢, 兒子不來探望

A few weeks ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

お金はない、息子は来ない…自殺率１位の韓国

2014年09月02日 16時49分

　経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）の統計で、韓国の自殺率（人口１０万人当たりの自殺者数）が加盟３４か国中、１０年連続で１位を記録した。

　数値を押し上げているのが老人の自殺だ。貧困、孤独に加え、韓国社会の特色だった「親を敬う」儒教の伝統が薄まるなど、社会のひずみが老人たちを襲っている。

　◆ソウルの孤独

　「飛び降り自殺したら皆に迷惑かける。でも、この部屋で死んだら誰も気付かないだろうね……」。８月中旬、ソウル市城北区の低所得者用アパートで、張悦子(チャンヨルジャ)さん（７３）はつぶやいた。

　最近、食べた物はほとんど吐いてしまう。栄養剤の点滴代は、１週間分の生活費に当たる３万５０００ウォン（約３４００円）。暑さにへばりながら病院にたどり着いたが、引き返した。「お金がないんだよ。老人会への借金も返せない」。好物のキムチが冷蔵庫にない日も増えた。

　大阪で生まれ、日本の敗戦後に済州島に引き揚げ、１８歳でソウルへ。調理師の夫と離婚し、美容師をしながら３人の息子を育てた。だが、次男、三男は１０年前までに病気などで死去。それから自分も自殺衝動に悩み、薬物自殺も図った。長男はソウル近郊で暮らす。「会いたいねえ。でも、何年も訪ねて来ない。お金がないのが済まなくて、来られないんだろうよ。優しい子だから」とかばった。

(試譯文)

Based on the statistics of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the suicide rate in South Korea (the number of suicide per population 100,000) was at the 1st place for ten consecutive years in the records of 34 affiliated nations.

Old man's suicide pushed up the numerical value. In addition to loneliness and poverty, the wearing out of the Confucianism tradition of “respecting parents" which was a special feature of the South Korean society had put a strain on society that harmed the old men.

<> Seoul’s Loneliness

"If suicide is committed by jumping down, it will be troublesome for everybody. But if you die in this room, nobody will notice ...." Ms. Chanyoruja (73) murmured in an apartment for low income earners at Johoku district of Seoul in mid-August.

These days, most things eaten would be vomited. The cost of intravenous drip nutrient was 35,000 won (about 3400 yen) which was equal to the living expenses for one week. Although arrived at the hospital for being tired due to the hot weather, she was sent back. "There is no money. The debt owed to an old-man association cannot be paid, either". The days that the favorite kimchi not put into the refrigerator had increased.

Born in Osaka and brought to Cheju Island after the defeat of Japan she went to Seoul at the age of 18. She divorced from her chef husband and acted as a beautician to bring up her three sons. But her second son and third son had died of illness etc. ten years ago. She was also troubled by the suicidal impulse and had the intention to commit suicide by medication. Her eldest son lived in the soul suburbs: "I would like to meet him. But he has not come for many years. Sorry that there is no money, it will be fine not to come, he is a good son", giving him the protection.

I am interested to know how the social welfare system for the aged in South Korea could be compared with those in Japan.