Seoul Unveils Comprehensive Plan for an Aging Society: '9988 Seoul Project'

On May 26, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the '9988 Seoul Project,' a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the needs of the city's elderly population. This initiative encompasses health care, caregiving, housing, employment, and leisure activities for seniors. By 2030, the city plans to invest 3.4 trillion won to expand 'Silver Day Care Centers' for elderly care near their homes, create 330,000 public jobs, and provide approximately 23,000 senior housing units.

As of April, 19.8% of Seoul's population, or 1.84 million people, are aged 65 and older. The city is expected to enter a 'super-aged society' by July, with over 20% of its population in this age group.

The '9988 Seoul Project' is structured around four main areas: enhancing caregiving, ensuring economic stability, promoting social participation, and creating an age-friendly urban environment. The long-term goal is to support a demographic where one in three residents will be 65 or older by 2040.

To strengthen caregiving, the city plans to build 85 public Silver Care Centers by 2040, utilizing underused land and converting struggling daycare centers into private Silver and Day Care Centers, totaling 140 facilities. Additionally, 50 specialized Day Care Centers for seniors with severe dementia will be established across various districts.

Starting this year, a 'One Call Integrated Care Service' will be launched, allowing seniors to access comprehensive support in health, medical care, caregiving, and housing with a single application.

To ensure economic stability, the city aims to create 300,000 public jobs by 2040, focusing on caregiving, meal support, and safety inspections. Furthermore, to generate 30,000 private jobs, the city will offer up to 60 million won in incentives to companies hiring seniors and will implement a senior internship program.

To enhance social participation, the city will develop five multi-purpose leisure and cultural spaces by 2040, where seniors and youth can engage in mentoring and various leisure activities. The number of park golf courses will increase from 33 to 150, and lifelong education programs will be expanded.

Plans also include the introduction of a 'Senior Retirement Camp' offering humanities courses and a 'Cultural Happiness Ticket' allowing seniors to attend private performances for just 10,000 won.

By 2040, the city aims to provide 23,000 units of tailored senior housing, incentivizing private sector participation through zoning benefits. This includes 7,000 private senior housing units with support for cleaning and health management, 1,000 public-private partnership senior housing units, and 5,000 units designed for multi-generational living.

Additionally, a taxi service called 'Companion Call Taxi' will be developed for seniors to request rides by phone, and a portal site named 'Elderly Information Hub' will feature an integrated reservation system for care facilities.

Mayor Oh Se-hoon emphasized the city's commitment to ensuring that seniors receive systematic care from their communities, allowing them to live healthily and with dignity as they age.