A chenopodium crane, known as symbol of health and longevity from ancient times, will be presented to 884 senior citizens, including 170 men and 714 women, who turned 100 years old this year. Except two people attending the event, others will receive the crane at home, considering their ages.
Along with the falling birth rate, the aging population is considered one of the urgent issues facing the nation.
According to the latest data from the National Statistical Office, elderly people aged 65 and older accounted for 10 percent of the total population last year, with the number first surpassing the 5 million mark.
Korea has already entered into an "aging society" in 2000 with its senior population of 7.2 percent. The nation is expected to become an "aged society" in 2018 with the old population reaching 14.3 percent. [rc]
By Lee Ji-yoon
E-mail: jylee@heraldm.com
Copyright 2001 ~ 2009 Herald Media Inc.
September 25, 2009
KOREA: Ceremony to honor senior citizens
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SEOUL, Korea / The Korea Herald / National News / September 25, 2009
By Lee Ji-yoon
Ahead of the Senior Citizen's Day next Friday, the government is holding today a ceremony aimed at honoring elderly people for their contribution to family and society.
Some 300 guests, including 180 senior Koreans from abroad, are to join the celebrating event held at the central lecture hall of the Korean Senior Citizens' Association in Seoul.
The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs originally had planned to invite almost 3,000 people. But, for fear of possible infection with the H1N1 flu virus among them, the ministry decided to downsize the guest numbers.
Considering that elderly people are at higher risk of complications from the new flu, a total of 20 medical staff are planned to be mobilized at the venue, along with thermal cameras, hand sanitizers and air purifiers being installed.
During the ceremony, 138 people will be awarded for their achievements in welfare and volunteer work. Recipients include Choi Sung-won, chairman of the Sung Won Foundation, who has donated more than 10 billion won ($8.4 million) to welfare facilities since the 1980s; Bang Bok-sin, 82, who has conducted volunteer work helping underprivileged people; and Lee Young-tae, traditional medical doctor, who has offered free medical services for poor elderly people.
A chenopodium crane, known as symbol of health and longevity from ancient times, will be presented to 884 senior citizens, including 170 men and 714 women, who turned 100 years old this year. Except two people attending the event, others will receive the crane at home, considering their ages.
Along with the falling birth rate, the aging population is considered one of the urgent issues facing the nation.
According to the latest data from the National Statistical Office, elderly people aged 65 and older accounted for 10 percent of the total population last year, with the number first surpassing the 5 million mark.
Korea has already entered into an "aging society" in 2000 with its senior population of 7.2 percent. The nation is expected to become an "aged society" in 2018 with the old population reaching 14.3 percent. [rc]
By Lee Ji-yoon
E-mail: jylee@heraldm.com
Copyright 2001 ~ 2009 Herald Media Inc.
A chenopodium crane, known as symbol of health and longevity from ancient times, will be presented to 884 senior citizens, including 170 men and 714 women, who turned 100 years old this year. Except two people attending the event, others will receive the crane at home, considering their ages.
Along with the falling birth rate, the aging population is considered one of the urgent issues facing the nation.
According to the latest data from the National Statistical Office, elderly people aged 65 and older accounted for 10 percent of the total population last year, with the number first surpassing the 5 million mark.
Korea has already entered into an "aging society" in 2000 with its senior population of 7.2 percent. The nation is expected to become an "aged society" in 2018 with the old population reaching 14.3 percent. [rc]
By Lee Ji-yoon
E-mail: jylee@heraldm.com
Copyright 2001 ~ 2009 Herald Media Inc.
