Thanks for putting words in my mouth. Redistribution approaches and/or the creation/augmentation of additional welfare systems could be one approach; likely one that the current Mayor of Seoul would likely be in favor of (Seoul mayors often end up making presidential bids). There could be other approaches, too, such as public awareness campaigns encouraging individual savings and promoting different approaches to cultural institutions. To elaborate on that last bit, parents paying for a lavish wedding and buying a home for newlyweds is still the expectation in SK (though not fully realized by all). With one or two kids, this can really create a dent in the personal savings of people approaching retirement, and could be contributing to the impoverished elderly phenomenon.

Do you have any ideas? I'm getting the feeling you're very much against welfare programs, and possibly any state interference in markets, but surely you didn't read the article and think all is well in the Land of Morning Calm. Do you think freeing up rules on foreign investment might create more jobs for the highly educated, yet struggling, 22-39 demographic?