Yongin Receives WHO Age-Friendly Cities Network Certification

[Suwon Ilbo=Gi-ho Choi] Yongin Special City announced on the 23rd that it received certification for joining the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities is a worldwide project that WHO has been conducting since 2006 to effectively respond to problems that may arise in aging societies. Certification can be obtained only by passing evaluation in eight areas for age-friendly societies, including housing, transportation, and social participation.

With the GNAFCC certification, Yongin City has received international recognition for the excellence of its policies to address aging society issues from multiple dimensions.

Cities that have received WHO's GNAFCC certification include Yongin City and approximately 1,540 cities across 52 countries worldwide. Yongin City submitted its certification application on May 2 and passed WHO evaluation in just two weeks, which is known to be the fastest certification period on record.

The city has established the vision of "Yongin Special City – creating special future together with all generation" for developing an age-friendly city, is implementing eight major areas and 55 detailed projects, and plans to develop additional new initiatives.

Mayor Sang-il Lee stated, "Yongin City, which received age-friendly city certification, has become a city certified as friendly in three major areas: women, children, and the elderly," and added, "We will make greater efforts so that all citizens can live happier and better lives beyond generations and genders, eliminate blind spots in welfare, and establish and operate policies more carefully to help citizens in difficult circumstances."