Elderly Collector Earns Mere Dollars After Hauling 159kg of Paper in 37°C Heatwave

In Seoul, where temperatures soared to 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 F), an elderly man spent three hours collecting 159 kilograms of scrap paper, earning a mere 6,000 won (approximately $4.30). Lim Cheon-ho, 65, began this arduous task about a month ago after his health forced him to quit a 20-year career in window installation.

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It's really hard to go out in this scorching sun. Honestly, how much money can you make selling cardboard?

Lim was found near a recycling center in Seongbuk District around 9 a.m., having already worked since 6 a.m. He continued his work despite the searing heat, pushing his cart through narrow streets. The metal handles of his cart became hot to the touch, but Lim, not wearing gloves to avoid the hassle of removing and putting them back on, said he had grown accustomed to the heat. He often works three to four hours at a time, only returning home when his cart is full, or to escape the midday sun before heading out again in the afternoon.

"It's really hard to go out in this scorching sun," Lim admitted. "Honestly, how much money can you make selling cardboard?" He expressed feelings of helplessness and even humiliation at times, questioning why he had to resort to such labor. Despite knowing about free water distribution points, he rarely uses them, finding it more convenient to buy water from a nearby convenience store.

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The metal handles of his cart became hot to the touch, but Lim, not wearing gloves to avoid the hassle of removing and putting them back on, said he had grown accustomed to the heat.

Seoul's elderly paper collectors, numbering around 2,400 according to a June survey, are predominantly over 70 years old, with 90% falling into the 70-plus age bracket. The primary reason cited for this work, chosen by 67% of respondents, is to secure living expenses. Experts warn that this work, especially during heatwaves, poses a significant risk to their health, potentially threatening their lives.

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This work, especially during heatwaves, poses a significant risk to their health, potentially threatening their lives.

Experts emphasize that poverty is not the sole driver; ingrained work habits and a fragile elderly income security system also play roles. Park Seung-hee, a professor emeritus of social welfare at Sungkyunkwan University, suggests that measures like special summer allowances could enable them to rest. Huh Joon-soo, a professor of social welfare at Soongsil University, points to South Korea's high elderly poverty rate compared to other OECD countries. He advocates for eradicating the practice of paper collection and establishing alternative income sources like basic livelihood security or senior job programs, coupled with comprehensive support systems managed by local governments.

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We need to establish alternative income sources like basic livelihood security or senior job programs, coupled with comprehensive support systems managed by local governments.