Yongsan-gu Promotes Joining the World Health Organization (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities International Network

2021-2023 Mid- to Long-Term Implementation Plan for Age-Friendly City Development... Applying to Join WHO International Network with the Slogan 'BEST Yongsan, a City We Want to Live in Together'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seong Chang-hyun) has established an implementation plan for creating an age-friendly city and is promoting membership in the "World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities."

As of the end of December 2020, the number of elderly residents aged 65 and over in Yongsan-gu was 39,779 (about 17.3% of the total population). At the current growth rate, Yongsan-gu is expected to enter a super-aged society (over 20% of the population) by 2025.

In response to this situation, the district has prepared a legal framework by enacting and promulgating related ordinances since last year to create an age-friendly city and has been preparing to join the international network.

First, in September last year, the "Basic Ordinance for the Promotion of Elderly Welfare to Implement an Age-Friendly City in Yongsan-gu, Seoul" was promulgated. This was to establish the necessity and systematic support basis for creating an age-friendly city.

The main contents include matters related to the establishment of the creation plan, the composition of the creation committee, and the formation of a monitoring group.

In December, the district completed the "Yongsan-type Age-Friendly City Creation Research Service" conducted with experts and related parties. Reflecting the results of the service, a mid- to long-term creation plan spanning three years from 2021 to 2023 was established.

Under the slogan "A city you want to live in, BEST Yongsan made together," the plan set three major goals: ▲ healthy and vibrant old age ▲ a safe environment considerate of the elderly ▲ a community living together.

It was then concretized into 45 strategic projects across five major areas, including healthy old age, safe transportation environment, and balanced elderly life. The detailed project budget amounts to 83 billion KRW over three years.

The district evaluates the strategic projects annually based on project performance. It comprehensively judges by reflecting opinions from residents’ participation and internal evaluations. If any underperforming projects are found, improvements and alternatives will be sought and reflected in the next year's project plan.

The district sent this implementation plan to the World Health Organization, and the final certification for joining the age-friendly city network is expected to be decided as early as April.

The "Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities" is a project promoted worldwide by the World Health Organization since 2007, aiming for cities equipped with policies, infrastructure, and services that enable the elderly to lead healthy and active social lives.

Seong Chang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “We are establishing an implementation plan and promoting membership in the international network to create a uniquely tailored age-friendly city in Yongsan-gu. We will create a city where all generations positively accept old age and live well.”