From Recipients to Leaders: Senior Employment Model Transformed... Mayor Park Hyungjoon Announces Launch of 10,000 Nae-pyeon Dolbomi in Busan

Declaration of Vision for the Sustainable Care "Ribbon" Project


Implementing a Generationally Integrated Model for Citizens in Need of Care

The city of Busan is launching a senior employment project that positions older adults not only as recipients of care, but as active participants. The city will implement the "Ribbon" model, which stands for both the "Re-Born" of later life and the "Ribbon" that connects neighbors and generations.

On March 16, at 2 p.m., Busan City (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) announced that it will hold a "Ribbon Project" vision declaration and an inaugural ceremony for the launch of 10,000 Nae-pyeon Dolbomi (My Side Caregivers) at the main auditorium of Busan City Hall.

The event will be attended by Mayor Park Hyungjoon of Busan, Kim Junghyun, President of the Busan Senior Club Association, Kim Yangjin, Head of the Busan-Ulsan Regional Headquarters of the Korea Labor Force Development Institute for the Aged, directors of senior clubs, Nae-pyeon Dolbomi, and about 700 participants in total. This marks the beginning of Busan's "era of generationally integrated care."

On this day, Busan City will officially declare its vision for the "Ribbon Project," which shifts existing public service jobs that focused on environmental maintenance to care-centered positions. The intention behind Ribbon is to expand senior employment from simple income support to a policy focused on care and restoring relationships.

This year, Busan City has selected approximately 10,000 Nae-pyeon Dolbomi. Nae-pyeon Dolbomi refers to care workers who support citizens' daily lives close to home. Previous senior employment care programs mainly involved companionship and wellness checks. Going forward, the scope of both care recipients and services will be expanded.

The integrated care services will be provided to citizens in need, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, households at risk of solitary death, and other vulnerable groups. These services will cover physical health, mental health, social relationships, and support for daily living.

Starting this year, Busan City plans to expand the generationally integrated care-based senior employment model. The city also aims to proactively respond to local needs and policy changes.

The inaugural ceremony will consist of two parts. The first part will feature a promotional video for the Ribbon Project, the vision declaration, the reading of the pledge, and a launch performance. The promotional video produced by the Senior Media Production Team from the Gijang Senior Club will also be screened. The mayor and key guests will proclaim the project’s vision with a touch ceremony.

Participating organizations will recite a pledge to realize "Generationally Integrated Care in Busan." A representative of the Nae-pyeon Dolbomi will read a declaration of commitment to faithfully carry out integrated care activities.

During the launch performance, all attendees will hold placards announcing the "Launch of 10,000 Nae-pyeon Dolbomi" and make a joint declaration. The second part will consist of job training for senior participants of Nae-pyeon Dolbomi, aimed at enhancing professionalism and accountability prior to field activities.

Starting in March, Nae-pyeon Dolbomi will officially begin providing integrated care services. They will serve all generations, from children to seniors. Through this program, Busan City aims to establish a system where seniors participate as agents of community care, rather than merely as recipients.

The city envisions a virtuous cycle that provides both job and social participation opportunities for seniors and daily care services for citizens.

Mayor Park Hyungjoon stated, "The launch of 10,000 Nae-pyeon Dolbomi will become a symbol showing that seniors are not just care recipients, but the main drivers of generational integration policy. Based on the capability and wisdom of our senior citizens, we will build a warmer city of Busan."

Busan City Hall.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.