The topgol park (Pagoda Park), which used to be like a 'playground for the 70s and 80s' where elderly people with silver hair gathered to compete in Go and chess or give advice from the side, has changed. Jongno District has banned Go and chess, arguing that it maintains order.
As a result, elderly people who were passionately playing Go and chess have become less visible. Some left for a comfortable place to play Go in front of Jongmyo Shrine. Some elderly people are still playing chess around topgol park. Jongno District assessed that "various disorderly behaviors have significantly decreased," but one elderly person noted that "only those who drink and cause trouble should be cracked down on," claiming the measures are excessive.
◇Original park usage rules from 2002 prohibited 'recreational activities'
Around noon on the 25th, at topgol park in Jongno District, Seoul. Upon passing through the main gate, there was a sign stating, "Recreational activities such as Go and chess, smoking, drinking, and transactions are all prohibited." The phrase indicating penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of up to 20 million won for violations was emphasized in red.
Until recently, the inside of topgol park, filled with Go and chess boards on tables, and the area outside the walls were empty. Elderly people sat on benches looking dazed or dozing off. A person surnamed Kim (80) said, "In the past, I spent time watching others play Go and chess, but now there's nothing to do."
This is because Jongno District has completely banned recreational activities such as Go and chess inside and outside topgol park since the 31st of last month. Jongno District has deployed personnel to discourage playing Go and chess. Originally, recreational activities had been prohibited since the park usage rules established in 2002, but management has only recently begun.
A district official said, "There have been frequent instances of intoxicated individuals or homeless people mixing in Go game areas, smoking in non-smoking zones, spitting, urinating, and littering." In June of this year, there was also an incident where a man threatened elderly people with a weapon.
About 20 days after the ban on Go and chess, Jongno District assessed that "various disorderly behaviors have significantly decreased, and the park's environment has noticeably improved."
◇Jongno District informs that people are reluctant to use welfare centers… "They won't let us give advice while playing chess"
Elderly people who wish to enjoy Go and chess are being directed to the Seoul Senior Welfare Center near Anguk Station on Subway Line 3, about 600 meters from topgol park. However, many elderly people are reluctant to use the welfare center.
A person surnamed Choi (77), who came from Dobong District, said, "This place is much better than the chess room here," adding that "(topgol park is on Line 1), so transportation is convenient for friends coming from Uijeongbu or Chuncheon." Mr. Kim (84) expressed, "When playing chess, we enjoy giving advice and laughing with those around us, but here we are left alone as we can only play chess," and stated, "They close on weekends and say we should leave during lunch time."
Some elderly people moved about 500 meters to Jongmyo Shrine carrying their Go boards. Around 1 p.m. that day, about 30 people were sitting on mats in a corner of Jongmyo Plaza Park, spreading out their Go boards. The elderly people were smiling, saying, "I think I won," while giving advice to each other.
On the sidewalk towards Insadong next to topgol park, two elderly people were playing chess on the ground. Ms. Lee (84) said, "They should only crack down on the drunk individuals causing trouble, but we who quietly played chess have been chased away."
◇People are coming from Gangnam too… "There are no elderly people in Nonhyeon-dong, and they serve lunch here"
Even though Go and chess have been banned in topgol park, elderly people still gather here every day. The biggest reason is "food." Around noon, more than 200 people were lined up outside the wall of topgol park, more than 100 meters long.
They waited for over 30 minutes in the scorching sun to exchange the numbers they held for 'free meal' lunch boxes. A person surnamed Lee (75) from Nowon District said, "Many organizations around topgol park provide food."
Even when trying to buy food, the burden is light. A restaurant famous for 'Songhae Gukbap' sells thick soups for 3,000 won. A bottle of soju also costs about 3,000 won. A person surnamed Kwon (78), who came from Gangnam District, said, "There are many peers here. In Nonhyeon-dong where I live, there are hardly any elderly people, and it's not fun", adding, "A haircut costs 10,000 won, a movie is 2,000 won, and they provide lunch, which is great."
In fact, after analyzing data on the use of free transportation cards for people over 65 collected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2018, the number one disembarkation station was Jongno 3-ga Station, near topgol park.