Gangseo-gu holds Senior Citizens' Day ceremony with more than 1,000 in attendance
Gangseo-gu District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said Friday that senior residents play a role in the community "just like parents."
Jin made the remarks at a Senior Citizens' Day ceremony held at Yewon Church in Deungchon-dong, praising elders for their "lifelong service and dedication to the development of our community." He added that Gangseo-gu had entered super-aged society status, with residents aged 65 and older now exceeding 21 percent of the total population, and said expanding employment and social participation opportunities for seniors was "more important than anything."
Jin also credited the district's senior residents with a Prime Minister's Award the district recently received at the Korea Local Government Management Awards, where Gangseo-gu was recognized among local government bodies.
"In my heart, I want to create far more jobs for our elders, but I am sorry that fiscal constraints have prevented us from doing more," he said. "Even so, the fact that we were able to receive the Prime Minister's Award — the top prize — is entirely thanks to the seniors who have always been with us throughout our community."
The district was recognized at the awards not only for expanding the scale of senior employment but also for developing tailored job opportunities that draw on elders' experience and expertise. The number of senior jobs in the district grew from 3,566 in 2023 to 6,083 over three years, an increase of about 70.6 percent.
Je Eun-young, chair of the Gangseo-gu chapter of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, also took the stage that day and described the district's senior employment policy as "something truly surprising."
The event, attended by more than 1,000 senior residents, proceeded with a reading of the Senior Citizens' Charter, a commendation ceremony for meritorious individuals, club performances by senior groups and a celebratory performance.
Among the highlights of the commendation ceremony was an award presented to a person who had devoted more than 30 years to caring for their parents. Two individuals recognized for their contributions to senior welfare and nine seniors honored as community role models also received awards.
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