Elder Abuse Doubled in 10 Years... National Human Rights Commission Urges Attention to Elderly Rights

by Kong Byeongseon

Published 15 Jun.2022 15:25(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] As elder abuse has more than doubled in the past decade, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) called for increased social attention to the human rights of the elderly on the occasion of the ‘Elder Abuse Prevention Day.’

On the 15th, the NHRCK issued a statement in the name of Chairman Song Doo-hwan, urging, “On the occasion of Elder Abuse Prevention Day, we ask that society not overlook the small signals sent by elderly people suffering from abuse around us,” and added, “We hope that special attention will be paid to protecting the human rights of the elderly.”

The United Nations (UN) and the World Elder Abuse Awareness Network designated June 15, 2006, as the ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.’ South Korea also established this day as Elder Abuse Prevention Day in 2015 and has been working to raise public awareness of elder abuse issues.

However, elder abuse continues to increase. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of 2020, there were a total of 6,259 cases of elder abuse, more than double the 2,674 cases reported in 2009. In 2020, the number of elder abuse reports reached 16,973.

The NHRCK explained, “There are many elderly people around us who are unable to enjoy a dignified and happy old age,” and emphasized, “Our society needs a shift in perception from viewing the elderly as objects of charity to recognizing them as subjects of rights.”

Furthermore, the NHRCK stated, “We regularly hold the ‘Elder Human Rights Forum’ to publicize major issues concerning elder human rights and seek human rights-based solutions,” and added, “As the chair country of the Aging Working Group of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, we will analyze the limitations of the international human rights framework and continue necessary activities accordingly.”