Gijang County Expands Senior Bathhouse Voucher Program to Include Hair Salons and Barbershops

Voucher Usability to Expand from January Next Year
Enhanced Welfare Measures Considering Age and Safety Concerns

Gijang County (Governor Jeong Jongbok) announced on December 26 that starting in January next year, the eligible business types for the "Gijang County Senior Bathhouse Voucher Support Program" will be expanded from only bathhouses to include both bathhouses and hair salons/barbershops.

The Senior Bathhouse Voucher Support Program, which began in July this year, provides electronic voucher cards worth 42,000 KRW per quarter to local seniors aged 75 and older. These vouchers can be used at partner bathhouses under a signed agreement.

However, as many seniors have expressed difficulties using public bathhouses due to physical burdens and safety concerns associated with aging, the county has decided to broaden the range of eligible services to include hair salons and barbershops in order to provide more comprehensive welfare benefits.

To this end, Gijang County has amended the relevant ordinance and signed business agreements with the Gijang County branches of the Korea Beauticians Association and the Korea Barbers Association.

Currently, the county is in the process of accepting franchise applications from local hair salons and barbershops, and plans to continuously increase the number of partner establishments so that seniors can use their voucher cards more conveniently in the future.

Governor Jeong Jongbok stated, "Bathing and hairdressing services are essential daily services for maintaining hygiene and a healthy lifestyle for seniors," adding, "We will actively discover and implement highly effective senior welfare policies to make Gijang a better place for seniors to live."

Gijang County Office.