Story of a mother and two daughters

To sum up social problems we’ve experience, there could not be a better case that this sad story.

So sad…that it broke almost every living heart in Korea, including mine. It was a deeply impactful and somber event from South Korea, known as the Songpa family tragedy. This case involves a mother and her two daughters who tragically died in their home due to extreme poverty and social isolation. Our focus will be on understanding the societal and systemic factors that contributed to this tragedy and exploring what we, as members of society, can do to prevent such incidents in the future.

Background of the Case

In October 2014, the bodies of a mother, her two daughters, and their two pet dogs were discovered in their apartment in Songpa District, Seoul. They had died months earlier, but their deaths went unnoticed, highlighting severe issues of social isolation and systemic failure in community welfare practices.

Societal Context and Issues

First, Poverty and Isolation:

The family lived in extreme poverty, disconnected from social supports and community interactions. They faced both financial hardships and social stigma, which exacerbated their isolation. The father left the family some time ago so the mother had to be the provider of the family. She did everything she could do. At her age without any career experiences, there were not many options for make a living. She worked in local restaurants and one day, an unfortunate accident hospitalized her. With pilling medical bills, she could not make ends meet.

Even if she went through this hardship, she did not lose humanity and her dignity. Before the last breath, she left the money for unpaid bills and rent, and a note for the landlord saying “I am sorry.” In this part, many broke in tears.

Systemic Failures is what we really need to take away from this story.

The tragedy underlines significant lapses in social welfare systems, including failure to identify and assist individuals and families at risk.

Impact on Society

The discovery of this tragedy caused a national outcry in South Korea, leading to debates about social welfare policies, the effectiveness of community support systems, and the societal attitudes towards poverty.

South Korea’s relative poverty rate is notably high among OECD countries. As of recent data, it ranks fourth with a relative poverty rate of 16.7%, which means about one in six South Koreans lives in relative poverty. This rate is higher than the current OECD average of 11.1%. South Korea faces significant wealth disparities, which have been a growing concern alongside its aging population and the associated economic challenges​.

As we discussed earlier, the country’s high relative poverty rate among the elderly is particularly significant, with nearly half of those aged 65 and older living in poverty. This rate is the highest among OECD members and reflects broader social and economic challenges, including insufficient pension systems and a fast transition to an aged society​.

These statistics suggest a pressing need for policies that address income disparity, improve support for the elderly, and enhance the overall economic security of vulnerable populations in South Korea.

No more piecemeal intervention. We need more systemic changes for more inclusive and sustainable society.

In closing, the Songpa family tragedy is a call to action for all of us to be more aware, involved, and compassionate towards those around us. It challenges us to rethink how society identifies and supports its most vulnerable members.

Let’s use this moment to reflect on our roles and responsibilities and think deeply about the changes we can drive, both small and large, to build a more caring and connected community.