The Fragility of Social Capital: How Lack of Specific Trust Undermines Sustainability in Comprehensive Welfare Centers for the Elderly-A Case Study of Permanent Lease Housing Areas in South Korea

Social capital is recognized as a key mechanism for alleviating poverty among older adults, yet its long-term sustainability remains underexplored. This study analyzes 62 semi-structured interviews with elderly individuals at a welfare center in Seoul, selecting 15 representative cases for in-depth thematic analysis. While social participation fosters initial trust, exclusion, institutional constraints, and unequal exchanges hinder the transition from generalized trust, weakening the sustainability of social capital. Extending Putnam's theoretical framework, this study proposes a model for sustainable social capital development, offering insights into trust dynamics and practical strategies for low-cost governance in rapidly aging societies.