Free subway rides for the elderly become a political headache in ageing South Korea

Amid a rapidly ageing population and soaring operating costs, subway systems in South Korea's metropolises are increasingly grappling with snowballing losses from free rides for the elderly. Seoul's local government says the influx of free riders is creating a massive financial burden. Park Gyung-sun is among a growing number of “silver delivery” courier groups at the centre of a social debate over whether the country can maintain the welfare of its senior citizens.