Authorities conduct a recovery work at the scene of the car crash that killed nine pedestrians at an intersection near Seoul City Hall in central Seoul, July 1. Yonhap

Public opinion is reigniting over the need for stricter measures for older drivers after a 68-year-old man involved in a deadly car crash near Seoul City Hall, which claimed nine lives, was identified.

However, there are growing concerns that this debate could deteriorate into indiscriminate criticism or personal attacks on older drivers.

Even before last week's tragedy, how to deal with older drivers — specifically, encouraging older drivers to return their licenses — has been a hot-button issue as the number of drivers aged 65 or older is increasing steadily amid the nation's aging population.

Just two days after the fatal car crash, a taxi driven by a man in his 70s crashed into the National Medical Center building, Wednesday, where an altar had been set up for one of the victims of the City Hall car crash, injuring three people, one seriously.

On Saturday, another incident occurred near Seoul Station, where a car driven by a man in his 80s struck pedestrians while attempting a U-turn, injuring two people. The vehicle continued for about 20 meters after hitting the first pedestrian before striking another and stopped after crashing into a wall.

A car driven by a man in his 80s is seen stopped after hitting a wall following a collision with two pedestrians in Yongsan District, Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Yongsan Fire Station

According to data from the Korea Road Traffic Authority, 39,614 traffic accidents involving drivers aged 65 or older occurred last year, the highest number recorded since statistics began being collected in 1992. These incidents accounted for 20 percent of all traffic accidents, up from 17.6 percent the previous year.

The Korea Insurance Development Institute also reported, Sunday, that the accident rate for drivers aged 65 or older was 4.57 percent. Compared to 4.04 percent for drivers under 65, it indicates that older drivers are responsible for 13 percent more accidents.

Furthermore, accidents involving older drivers tend to result in a higher number of victims and a greater proportion of serious injuries. The average number of victims in accidents caused by drivers under 65 was 1.96, while for divers aged 65 or more, the figure was 2.63.

Following a series of similar accidents, discussions are reigniting over the need to further tighten measures for older drivers, such as strengthening aptitude tests, mandating the return of driver's licenses for those over the age of 70, and encouraging older drivers to have their cars fitted with an automated emergency braking system (AEBS).

Currently, the government requires drivers aged 75 and older to renew their driver's licenses every three years, including mandatory cognitive ability tests and traffic safety education. Additionally, the government recommends traffic safety education for drivers aged 65 and older.

However, some point out that the renewed discussion on what qualifies one as being an older driver could lead to derogatory language and even hate toward older adults.

Online comments regarding the car crash near city hall have displayed similar sentiments, such as "Please deprive old folks of their licenses."

Some comments have gone as far as to compare the value of the lives of older drivers with young drivers, with one stating, "An elderly man nearing the end of his life killed nine people in their prime. Even if he were reincarnated 10 times, it wouldn't be enough to compensate."

Jung Jae-hoon, a professor of social welfare at Seoul Women's University, criticized the public for recklessly blaming older adults.

"Blaming the recent accidents on all older drivers is just scapegoating," he said.

He also shared a personal experience to better explain that age is not the fundamental problem.

"When standing at a crosswalk, I often see young drivers behaving recklessly. The fundamental problem is not age but inadequate traffic safety education," Jung said.

"The fundamental problem lies in the nation's lax driver's license issuance process and inadequate post-traffic safety education. It is not fair to arbitrarily restrict driving qualifications for older individuals."