South Korea announces expanded senior jobs and caregiving support

At the 30th Senior Citizens Day ceremony in Seoul, President Lee Jae-myung announced several measures to strengthen the social safety net for South Korea’s aging population. Key proposals include increasing senior employment opportunities to a record 1.18 million next year and expanding basic pension support for low-income elderly citizens.

The President also stated that the government will pursue applying health insurance to caregiving costs to prevent families from hesitating to seek treatment due to financial burdens. Additionally, he emphasized a shift in care services from facility-centered models to community-based care, allowing seniors to receive support within their own homes.

Lee Joong-geun, chairman of the Korean Senior Citizens Association and chairman of Booyoung Group, proposed fundamental changes to elderly policy to address the super-aged society. He suggested a gradual increase of the official senior age from 65 to 75 and advocated for the enactment of a Senior Rights Guarantee Act. He also called for strengthening integrated community care systems to allow for dignified end-of-life care at home.