Governor Jeon Jinseon: "Systematic Elderly Welfare Policies... Ushering in an Era of Happiness for Seniors"

Yangpyeong County Responds to a Super-Aged Society at the National Forefront
Senior Welfare Center, Senior Colleges, and AI Care Power an Active Old Age
Direct Management of Dementia Relief Center and Transportation Subsidies
Strengthening Tangible, Impactful Policies for Seniors

In Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, the elderly population currently stands at around 40,000, accounting for 32% of the total population. The proportion of residents aged 65 and older has surpassed 20%, marking the county's entry into a super-aged society. This is not merely a shift in demographic structure, but an issue directly linked to the future of the entire local community.

Parents' Day Commemorative Event. Provided by Yangpyeong County

According to Yangpyeong County on August 25, the county has adopted "A Senior Life Filled with Respect and Happiness" as its top administrative priority, implementing a wide range of welfare policies to turn this inevitable reality into an opportunity rather than a crisis.

In his inauguration speech, Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jinseon stated, "The pain of an elderly person shivering alone in a remote house in the middle of winter should be the responsibility of the county governor." This was a declaration that elderly issues should be regarded as a societal responsibility, not just an individual one. To put this into practice, the county is moving beyond basic elderly care to establish a system that supports a life of respect and an active old age.

Elderly welfare in Yangpyeong goes beyond simple caregiving, injecting vitality and meaning into the lives of seniors. At the center of this is the Yangpyeong County Senior Welfare Center. Opened last year and boasting the largest scale in the country, the center welcomes an average of 700 seniors daily. More than just a place to rest, it serves as a lifelong learning hub that empowers seniors to lead proactive lives, playing a pivotal role in Yangpyeong County's elderly welfare system.

Through 108 diverse programs spanning three main areas-lifelong education and hobby/leisure support, community welfare, and health and wellness support-the center helps seniors discover new hobbies and regain vitality in their lives. By offering customized programs tailored to various needs, such as digital literacy, foreign languages, liberal arts, arts and culture, sports, cooking, and club activities, the center enriches the lives of the elderly.

Elderly Day Commemoration Ceremony. Provided by Yangpyeong County

Information technology education programs, such as learning AI easily with a smartphone or practical computer skills for daily life, help ensure that seniors are not left behind in the digital society as active members of the community. Hobby and leisure programs like traditional percussion (gogo-janggu), fitness classes, and singing classes promote both physical and mental health, increasing overall life satisfaction. In addition, professional certification courses, such as park golf instructor and barista certification classes, provide seniors with new job opportunities and avenues for social participation.

Lifelong learning programs that awaken seniors' potential and nurture their passion for learning are at the core of Yangpyeong County's elderly welfare policy. To further support continuous learning among seniors, the county operates three senior colleges: Myeongmun College, Dongbu Senior College, and Seobu Senior College, located in Yangpyeong-eup, Yongmun-myeon, and Seojong-myeon, respectively, for greater accessibility. These colleges offer practical and beneficial lectures on topics such as liberal arts, health, leisure, traffic safety, and violence prevention, thereby realizing the value of lifelong education.

Furthermore, health welfare policies-an indispensable element for a happy old age-are also drawing attention. Yangpyeong County has strengthened its response to dementia, which poses the greatest threat to quality of life in an aging society.

Dongbu Senior College Graduation Ceremony. Provided by Yangpyeong County

Starting this year, Yangpyeong County has transitioned its Dementia Relief Center to direct county management for more systematic oversight, with the number of registered patients now reaching about 2,000. The county also operates the "Memory-Filled Yangpyeong Youth Train" program, which visits senior centers to provide early screening, cognitive tests, and education. Support for dementia treatment costs and care supplies such as diapers and incontinence pants has also been expanded. This integrated care model, combining welfare and health services, helps families and communities collectively address the heavy burden of dementia.

In particular, the AI-based welfare check-in service for seniors living alone stands out. Through a business agreement with Korea Electric Power Corporation, the county uses AI analysis of electricity usage and communication data in elderly households to detect abnormal signs. When a risk is detected, township officials and honorary social welfare officials check in on the seniors, helping to prevent solitary deaths and respond to emergencies.

Yangpyeong County is also focusing on transportation welfare that seniors can tangibly experience. To guarantee mobility for seniors who have difficulty using public transportation, the county plans to launch the "Senior Transportation Subsidy Program" in October for residents aged 70 and above. Selected as a pilot project for expanding transportation benefits for seniors in Gyeonggi Province, this initiative will subsidize fares for metropolitan, city, village buses, and GTX trains within the Seoul metropolitan area, providing up to 360,000 won per year. This is expected to not only reduce the financial burden on seniors but also enhance their mobility rights, promote social participation, and support a happier old age.

Jeon Jinseon, the county governor, delivering a greeting speech at the Senior Citizens' Day commemorative ceremony. Photo by Yangpyeong County

Governor Jeon Jinseon stated, "Ensuring that seniors are respected, happy, and healthy is the most valuable goal our society should pursue. Amid inevitable demographic changes, Yangpyeong County is addressing this generational challenge in the most exemplary way," adding, "We will continue to actively implement multifaceted and systematic elderly welfare policies to improve the quality of life for seniors and guarantee a vibrant old age."