On October 16, President Yoon Suk-yeol proposed reforms to the basic pension system in South Korea, suggesting that the government should provide increased financial support to impoverished seniors. This proposal comes in response to the observation that some elderly individuals attempt to evade the pension cut for couples by entering into sham divorces. Yoon emphasized the need to make such reforms in light of the alarming rate of elder suicide in the country, which he identified as a significant consequence of poverty among the elderly population.

Yoon's reform idea is partially inspired by the existing couple pension reduction policy, which sees the pension amount decreased by 20% for couples receiving benefits together. He communicated via social media that the government plans to gradually reduce the pension cut rate starting in 2027, specifically affecting low-income households initially. During his discussion, he stressed that the financial strain on the government, which leads to pension reductions, should be addressed and reformed to ensure that financial security isn't based on marital status.

He pointed out the disparity in the current pension system, noting that both wealthy seniors and those with no income receive the same basic pension amount. Yoon argued for a reevaluation of this system, suggesting that it could be possible to allocate additional funds to those in extreme poverty without compromising existing benefits for others. He concluded by encouraging public feedback on these ideas, emphasizing the urgent need to alleviate the poverty faced by senior citizens, which is leading to severe mental health crises among the elderly community.