Ministry of Health and Welfare Introduces Age-Friendly City Designation System

Enforcement Decree of the Welfare of the Aged Act Amended on January 13

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will introduce a "Age-Friendly City" designation system to encourage the implementation of senior-friendly policies. Regions that operate policies enabling seniors to actively participate in local policymaking and development processes, strengthen their capacities, and ensure care, safety, and a healthy, vibrant later life will be designated as Age-Friendly Cities, thereby expanding regional support.

On January 13, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the Cabinet had approved a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Welfare of the Aged Act, which includes the criteria, procedures, and support details for the designation of Age-Friendly Cities. This amendment is a follow-up measure to specify matters delegated by the Welfare of the Aged Act, which was revised last year and will take effect on January 24.

According to the amended Enforcement Decree, in order to be designated as an Age-Friendly City, a local government must: ▲ establish the necessary foundation, including organizations and personnel, to promote Age-Friendly City initiatives; ▲ demonstrate achievements in four areas-promoting senior participation, capacity building, care and safety, and healthy and vibrant aging; and ▲ develop a plan for creating an Age-Friendly City, thereby meeting the designation criteria.

The validity period for the Age-Friendly City designation is five years. After designation, the head of the local government must report the implementation status of the creation plan to the Minister of Health and Welfare each year. The Ministry may provide support in education, consulting, partnership building, and publicity related to the designation. The fact of designation or cancellation will be communicated to the relevant local government and released through the Ministry of Health and Welfare website. The Ministry plans to prepare and announce detailed operational guidelines for the Age-Friendly City designation within the first half of this year.