Dedicated Senior Welfare Administration on the Horizon...

▲ On the morning of the 8th, Rep. Hong Moon-pyo of the Grand National Party held a press conference on the establishment of a Senior Welfare Administration at the National Assembly press room. / Yeouido Communications, photographer Kim Jin-seok

As early as next year, a government body dedicated to addressing the issues of 4.4 million elderly citizens aged 65 and above—representing 9% of the total population—is expected to be established.

Rep. Hong Moon-pyo (Grand National Party, Hongseong-Yesan, South Chungcheong Province) introduced an amendment to the Government Organization Act on the 8th, with the establishment of a "Senior Welfare Administration" as its centerpiece.

Prior to the bill's introduction that day, Rep. Hong visited the National Assembly press conference room and stated, "If this bill passes, for the first time in constitutional history, a government body dedicated to senior welfare issues will be established under the Ministry of Health and Welfare alongside the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety." He added, "In advanced countries, when the aging population rate reached around 7%, they already allocated 1% of national finances to establish dedicated senior welfare bodies."

To date, 63 lawmakers have signed on to this bill. The Grand National Party plans to confirm Rep. Hong's bill as party doctrine and work toward its passage.

<Yeouido Communications = Reporter Yu Kwang-jun>