On June 13, 2024, the Cabinet approved the partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Senior Welfare Act, establishing clear criteria, procedures, validity periods, and support and cancellation regulations for age-friendly city designation. This amendment provides the legal foundation for the Minister of Health and Welfare to officially designate age-friendly cities. An age-friendly city is defined as a region where seniors actively participate in local policy and development, with policies aimed at empowering seniors and ensuring care, safety, and a vibrant, healthy later life. The initiative aims to comprehensively improve the quality of life for seniors at the local government level in response to the super-aged society.
According to the amended decree, special mayors, governors, city mayors, county heads, and district chiefs must establish organizational systems and dedicated personnel for promoting age-friendly cities. They are required to submit documentation to the Minister of Health and Welfare demonstrating senior participation, empowerment, achievements in care, safety, and healthy aging, and plans for creating age-friendly cities that meet the designation criteria. The validity period for designation is five years, and the Minister may provide administrative support such as education, consultation, cooperation, and publicity. After designation, annual implementation status is reviewed, and local governments must report results to the Minister.
If a local government is found to have obtained designation through fraudulent or improper means, or fails to implement plans without valid reason, the designation will be revoked. Notification of designation or cancellation is given to the local government head and published on the Ministry of Health and Welfare website. The Ministry plans to prepare detailed guidelines within the first half of this year to ensure stable implementation of the system. This is expected to encourage tailored age-friendly policies, expand senior participation in policymaking, and provide systematic support in care, safety, and health.
Im Eul-gi, Director of Senior Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated that the designation of age-friendly cities will actively support the reflection of seniors’ perspectives and needs in local policies, expanding regions where seniors can enjoy a better quality of life. The amendment strengthens the responsibilities and roles of local governments, laying the groundwork for sustainable welfare policies in response to the super-aged society. If the age-friendly city designation system is expanded nationwide, it is expected to positively impact seniors’ quality of life and community integration. For inquiries, contact the Senior Policy Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare (044-202-3456).