As South Korea gears up for economic advancement, the South Korean government seems to be overlooking a domestic issue-the protection and welfare of the elderly.

Among members of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, South Korea is the worst place for senior citizens who suffer different forms of abuses from children and neighbors, poverty, loneliness, and suicide.

According to Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea has 5.54 million senior citizens aged 65 and up. The figure is more than 11 percent of the total world population. Of the figure, the Ministry told media there is one in three senior citizens suffering from abuse such as verbal, emotional and physical. Abuses at home accounted for 86 percent, while abuses by children and in-laws accounting for 73 percent. In 2005, there were 2,038 reported cases of abuse. The figure soared to 3,068 cases in 2010. Cases of counseling and therapy rose to 47,988 in 2010 from 13,836 in 2005, an increase by 3.5 times.

Lawmaker Kwon Sun-Tak, head of Liberty Forward Party told Chosunilbo senior citizens account for 34.6 percent of every 100,000 killed in traffic accidents. Data collated from National Police Agency revealed 2,100 to 2,300 cases of senior citizens getting killed while driving or crossing the streets.

Statisticians also told the media poverty is what awaits senior citizens if they fail to prepare for their future while they are still able. Jeon Hyun-heui, Democratic Party lawmaker showed the data suggesting poverty rate of 45 percent among senior citizens.

With such disheartening scenario for senior citizens, many of them consider suicide as the sole hope to escape. The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that for every 100,000 elderly, there are 160.4 senior citizens aged 75 and up that committed suicide. Experts believe the rate is eight times higher than OECD average. For senior citizens aged 65 to 74, the suicide rate is 81.8 per 100,000.

Unless lawmakers address the concern seriously, the data collected from South Korea reflects a gloomy future in a country that has an increasing number of senior citizens as against the younger generation.