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Social cohesion. Korea’s equal distribution of income is changing. Judging by the relationship between the richest and poorest tenth, Korea is becoming more unequal than it used to be. Worse, the growing number of poor people is disproportionately elderly. In other rich countries, people between 66 and 75 are no more likely to be poor than the population as a whole. In Korea, they are three times as likely to be poor. This is all the more worrying because the low birth rate means the country is ageing more rapidly than any other rich country. In 2009, people over 65 were outnumbered ten to one by the working-age population. By 2050, there will be seven over-65s for every ten working-age adults. Disproportionate old-age poverty would have a huge impact on the social backing for policies designed to foster growth.
Not to be left behind
Korea’s equitable income distribution used to provide a sense that society as a whole was benefiting from breakneck catch-up. But discontent is rising both about inequality and about the role of the chaebol, producing growing disenchantment with both main political parties. The recent election for mayor of Seoul produced an upset win for a left-wing anti-establishment maverick.

A. 어휘
cohesion 凝集(응집), 결합, 단결. distribution 분배.
the richest and poorest tenth 소득수준 최상위 10%와 최하위 10%.
disproportionately 불균형적으로. impact 충격.
foster 촉진하다, 양육하다. equitable income distribution 공평한 소득 분배.
breakneck 아주 빠른, 무서운. catch-up 따라 잡기.
discontent 불만, 불평. disenchantment 마법에서 풀기, 覺醒(각성).
political parties 政黨(정당). upset 顚覆(전복), 충격.
left-wing 좌익. anti-establishment 反體制(반체제).
maverick 무소속 정치가, 獨不將軍(독불장군).