Lee Joong-keun, president of the Korean Senior Citizens Association and chairman of Booyoung Group, on the 2nd renewed his calls to raise the age threshold that defines older adults, build a home-based end-of-life care system and create a government ministry dedicated to population policy.
The association held the 30th Senior Citizens' Day ceremony at a hotel in Seoul the same day. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the association, drew about 400 attendees, including President Lee Jae-myung, first lady Kim Hye-kyung and Health and Welfare Minister Jung Eun-kyeong.
This year's ceremony was designed to honor the contributions of the older generation and to explore the role and rights of older adults in a super-aged society. Six people who turned 100 this year received cheongryeojang, a traditional longevity walking stick, and the government presented awards to 10 individuals recognized for advancing elderly welfare and social development — eight received medals or decorations and two received presidential citations.
"The prosperity, freedom and growth we enjoy today are the result of our elders quietly devoting themselves to the development of the nation and society," Lee said. "In response to the demographic shift of a super-aged society, the Korean Senior Citizens Association will consult with the government on raising the age threshold for older adults, strengthening an integrated care system for dying at home, and enacting a law guaranteeing the rights of older adults."
Lee has proposed raising the age threshold for older adults, currently 65, by one year annually in stages until it reaches 75, as a way to prepare for a super-aged society.
