| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:44 am Post subject: Chosun Ilbo investigates subway beggars |
 |
|
Chosun Ilbo investigates subway beggars
http://asiancorrespondent.com/korea-beat/chosun-ilbo-investigates-subway-beg.htm
| Quote: |
On January 14, 50- year-old Mr. Lee got on the subway at Jonggak station, then walked along slowly tapping a white stick and begging for money from passengers.
By walking up and down the train about 10 times, he covers roughly 100 meters. In one hand he carries a cassette player and plays music in order to get the attention of the carriage passengers. It takes about 30 minutes for him to cover the whole train. An average of 10 people will give him money and it totals about 2,000 won ($1.75).
As soon as he alights from the train he walks briskly up the stairs and through the ticket checks. It is a complete contrast to the uneasy way he walked along the carriages.
A Chosun journalist followed Mr. Lee and asked him some questions.
As expected, he was not really blind. Back in 2005 he operated a small paper cup selling company, but his business failed and his wife divorced him. He now lives alone. � I feel bad about what I do now. I feel so bad that I can�t do anything other than beg. I feel so sorry for my family.� He has been begging on subways for about two years. |
No big surprise to most of us I suppose. Head to the link to read the rest of the translation. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Forward Observer
Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Location: FOB Gloria
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| You have to remember, that giving money to them isn't about the handicap - it's about giving because you can, because you make enough to give them 50 cents every now and then, because you have enough to eat and they might not. It's all about fate, destiny, etc. etc. Karma man, karma. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
| There are some beggars on the subways that are obviously blind and messed up as well as some old jobless people. A few bad apples shouldn't keep a person from giving money to people that need it and probably deserve it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crsandus
Joined: 05 Oct 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Speaking of people who ask for money on subways, who are thos people who hand out those flyers to people in a car and then pick them up hoping to score some cash? I never seem to get one of the handouts myself to (try to) read them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jeonmunka
Joined: 05 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I was on the train intently watching a 'blind' guy - suddenly the train lurched - everyone was surprised even the blind guy, he looked. He actually looked - his head turned and he glanced, focussed his eyes on what was going on.
Since then I haven't given any money. Quite unbelievable really what people do - falsifying blindness. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kaypea
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| crsandus wrote: |
| Speaking of people who ask for money on subways, who are thos people who hand out those flyers to people in a car and then pick them up hoping to score some cash? I never seem to get one of the handouts myself to (try to) read them. |
I'm really curious about those too! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| crsandus wrote: |
| Speaking of people who ask for money on subways, who are thos people who hand out those flyers to people in a car and then pick them up hoping to score some cash? I never seem to get one of the handouts myself to (try to) read them. |
Some of them are Deaf. The ones I've seen on the subway in Busan usually also wear their permit on a chain around their neck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
reactionary
Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Location: korreia
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It sucks that they have to pretend to be handicapped to get help, but hey, his life sounds pretty f-ed up - I'd give him a few cents. you can't blame it on drugs as easily as back home, but I guess you can still point your finger at soju. Still if my 500 won gets him half a bottle of happy water, more power to him. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The price we have to pay living in a cash based society. People will do whatever they can to put food on the table. Many of us would probably do something similar if we were down on our luck and needed to survive. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
What about all those theories about how there are a network of forced beggars working for the Korean mob?
I don't wanna be supportin' no criminals! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
reactionary
Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Location: korreia
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
What about all those theories about how there are a network of forced beggars working for the Korean mob?
I don't wanna be supportin' no criminals! |
I'd say "This thing of woori" is pretty pathetic if they're only netting 2000 won per begger per 30 minutes. Doesn't the mob prefer more...lucrative enterprises?
What would they do if he didn't earn enough? Break his begging cup? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| reactionary wrote: |
| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
What about all those theories about how there are a network of forced beggars working for the Korean mob?
I don't wanna be supportin' no criminals! |
I'd say "This thing of woori" is pretty pathetic if they're only netting 2000 won per begger per 30 minutes. Doesn't the mob prefer more...lucrative enterprises?
What would they do if he didn't earn enough? Break his begging cup? |
LOL. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
conrad2
Joined: 05 Nov 2009
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
itaewonguy
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
what about the crawling legless guys playing that terrible music dragging their asses around seoul with those rubber pants on??
I dont get it.. Thought Korea was a rich nation? are there not centers for them?
"Don't be so nieve Itaewonguy! gangsters control them! who else do you thing they get into the middle myungdong?! they get dropped off by their handlers and picked up later"! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
optik404
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
|
| Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| itaewonguy wrote: |
what about the crawling legless guys playing that terrible music dragging their asses around seoul with those rubber pants on??
I dont get it.. Thought Korea was a rich nation? are there not centers for them?
"Don't be so nieve Itaewonguy! gangsters control them! who else do you thing they get into the middle myungdong?! they get dropped off by their handlers and picked up later"! |
You really think the Gov't is able to help everyone? Are you really that naive? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
