Airports become unlikely summer refuge for older Koreans

YEONGJONG ISLAND, Incheon — Beneath the cool air blowing from the ceiling vents of Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2, dozens of older residents settled into passenger lounges Thursday afternoon, turning the nation's largest airport into an unexpected refuge from a relentless summer heat wave. Some sat quietly with their eyes closed beneath the steady hum of air conditioning. Others chatted in small groups or watched the stream of travelers passing through the terminal. Few carried suitcases. None appeared to be going anywhere. As record-breaking heat waves and tropical nights continue to scorch the country, Korea's largest airport has quietly become an unlikely sanctuary for vulnerable residents. Retirees aged 65 and older can travel to the airport for free under Korea's senior subway fare exemption program, allowing them to spend hours escaping the heat inside the terminal's spacious halls. Some passenger seats throughout Terminal 2 were occupied by groups of elderly visitors who looked more like regulars than travelers. Some had settled into lounge areas for long conversation