Elder Abuse Cases in South Korea Reach Five-Year High, Spouses Most Frequent Perpetrators

The number of recognized elder abuse cases in South Korea surged to nearly 8,000 last year, marking the highest figure in the past five years. A report released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Council for the Elderly Protection revealed a significant increase in both reported incidents and confirmed cases of abuse.

Last year, a total of 26,578 elder abuse reports were filed, an 16.8% increase from the previous year's 22,746. Confirmed abuse cases rose by 11.2% to 7,973, up from 7,167 in the prior year. This upward trend in elder abuse mirrors the growing elderly population in the country. Compared to 2021, when 19,391 reports were filed, last year saw a 37.1% increase in reports and a 17.7% rise in confirmed cases from 6,774 in 2021.

Family members were overwhelmingly the perpetrators, accounting for over 70% of all abuse cases. Among the 9,046 identified abusers, spouses were the most common at 39.4% (3,563 individuals), followed by sons at 23.5% and institutions at 18.9%. The report attributes this trend, particularly the growing gap between spousal and filial abuse, to changing household structures, with an increasing number of elderly couples living alone, leading to heightened caregiving burdens and stress.

Both victims and perpetrators of elder abuse are increasingly elderly. Of the 7,973 victims last year, 51.4% were aged 75 and older. Among the abusers, those aged 70 and above constituted the largest group at 35.0%, with individuals in their 60s making up an additional 24.2%. Notably, the number of abusers in their 60s increased by 25.4% and those over 70 by 15.8% compared to the previous year.

Physical abuse was the most prevalent type, accounting for 44.2% of the 11,799 reported abuse incidents, closely followed by emotional abuse at 43.5%. Neglect constituted 5.3%, economic abuse 2.8%, and sexual abuse 2.7%. The vast majority of abuse, 88.7%, occurred within the home. The report also provides contact information for reporting suspected elder abuse, including the police (112), the National Council for the Elderly Protection (1577-1389), and the 'Navisaegim' app.