Oh Se-hoon, Lunch with 'Life-Inspiring Seniors'..."Age Is Just a Number"

92-Year-Old Korea's Oldest PhD Recipient and Others

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon invited elderly individuals who have overcome the limitations of age and shared a luncheon with them to express his respect and gratitude.

The luncheon took place at 12 PM on the 9th in the Mayor's Office at Seoul City Hall, attended by six ‘Life Inspiration’ seniors and Mayor Oh.

This February, Lee Sang-sook, who received her doctoral degree 57 years after graduating from undergraduate school, began a regular graduate program at the age of 87 with a passion to study sociology. Lee Sang-sook completed both her master's and doctoral courses over five years and earned the highest age doctoral degree in Korea at 92 years old.

Among the luncheon attendees were ▲ Hong Kyung-seok (76 years old), a volunteer with over 16,000 hours of service, ▲ Lee Bok-gye (91 years old), a senior cultural and arts volunteer who received a ministerial citation at last year's 16th National Senior Volunteer Festival, ▲ Yoo Sun-jin (87 years old), an essayist who cared for her husband at home after he collapsed at age 85 and published a collection of essays depicting happiness during her caregiving, ▲ Byun Chang-soo (68 years old), a senior who works independently in his second life after retirement and a member of the ‘Special Task Force Helping Senior Employment,’ and ▲ Kim Jong-yoon (67 years old), an enthusiastic senior activity enthusiast.

Mayor Oh said, "It was a time to learn life wisdom through the ‘Life Inspiration seniors’ who have become warm role models,” adding, “Younger citizens will gain courage and hope that age is no longer a limitation but a driving force to develop new talents,” expressing his respect and gratitude.