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President Lee Jae-myung organized a lunch meeting with leaders from the Korean Senior Citizens Association at the Cheong Wa Dae guesthouse on the 22nd, mentioning, “The ‘community-based integrated care system’ will be rolled out across the country beginning in March next year,” and further noted, “We are committed to providing elderly individuals with medical, long-term care, and support services combined within their local communities.”

The president delivered these comments at an event attended by approximately 190 people, including Lee Jung-geun, head of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, and presidents of regional unions, which took place to celebrate the winter solstice (Dongji). He stated, “In 2025, South Korea has become a super-aged society, with individuals aged 65 and above making up more than 20% of the overall population.”

In his opening speech, President Lee mentioned the emergency martial law event from last year, stating, “South Korea, which had reached the status of an advanced nation, narrowly avoided falling back into a developing country because of the sudden martial law last year and has now returned to a normal path.” He further noted, “The recovery of the economy, people’s lives, and democracy was achieved through the sacrifices and efforts of our elders,” expressing appreciation.

Stressing the need for a policy transformation due to demographic shifts, the president pointed out that South Korea officially became a super-aged society in 2025, as individuals aged 65 and above surpassed 20% of the population.

He said, “Policies for the elderly are now policies for every citizen,” and promised to ▲raise the basic pension ▲boost job opportunities for seniors to a new high of 1,150,000 ▲and progressively extend health insurance to cover nursing care expenses in long-term care hospitals.

In reply, Lee Jung-geun, head of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, expressed appreciation to the government, referring to the integrated care system as “a basis for achieving ‘home-based end-of-life care,’ a concept our association has advocated for a long time.” He further requested, “In recognition of the 60 nations that supported South Korea during the 1950 6·25 War and to reaffirm the importance of peace, we suggest renaming ‘UN Day’ as a national holiday.”

A sign that stated “The Road Taken by Elders, the Road We Will Keep Traveling” was shown at the lunchtime event, where red bean soup was served to celebrate the winter solstice. Participants included Jeong Eun-kyeong, Minister of Health and Welfare, and Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, along with others.