Gwangmyeong City Expands Senior Jobs by 2.8 Times in Four Years... "Retirement Is a New Beginning"

Advancing Senior Job Systems Centered on Gwangmyeong Senior Club
Number of Jobs Soars from 409 to 1,179 in Four Years
Library Cafe, Nature Fairy Tale Play, and Digital Tutors
Driving Generational Integration and Knowledge Sharing on the Ground
Some Projects Achieve 100% Satisfaction Rate in 2025

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province is breathing new life into "post-retirement living" by significantly expanding senior job programs in response to the rapidly growing demand from the new senior generation. The city’s policy goes beyond simple livelihood jobs, earning a positive response by encompassing self-realization, social participation, and generational integration.

Gwangmyeong City is expanding senior job opportunities by 2.8 times, driving the self-realization of the 'new elderly generation' beyond mere quantitative growth. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

On May 21, Gwangmyeong City announced that, as a result of advancing its senior job system centered on the dedicated Gwangmyeong Senior Club, the number of senior jobs increased from 409 in 2022 to 1,179 this year, a rise of approximately 2.8 times.

According to the city, as of April this year, there are 78,592 residents aged 60 or older in Gwangmyeong, accounting for 26% of the total population. In response, the city has shifted its policy direction not only toward quantitative expansion but also toward strengthening professionalism and social roles for seniors.

In particular, the ‘Senior Competency Utilization Project’, which leverages specialized skills, has nearly quadrupled over the same period and has become a flagship project, returning the experiences and knowledge of the new senior generation to society.

A representative example is ‘Cafe Daylight’ on the 6th floor of Cheolsan Library, which has settled as an ‘integrated model’ that breaks down generational barriers. Operated directly by senior baristas, this space has become a venue for intergenerational communication, attracting students and young people alike.

Cha Myungsun (67), who is active here, said, “Life after retirement was emptier than I expected, but I found a chance to live again under my own name. Now, retirement has become not an end, but a milestone signaling a new beginning in life.”

Programs that give back seniors’ experience to the local community also stand out. In the ‘Nature Fairy Tale Play’ project, participating seniors serve as professional educators, leading nature experience and story-telling programs for local children.

Gwangmyeong City is expanding senior jobs by 2.8 times, driving the self-realization of the 'new senior generation' beyond mere quantitative growth. Provided by Gwangmyeong City

Initiatives to bridge the digital divide are also being strengthened. The city is nurturing seniors as members of the ‘Digital Specialist Management Team’ through kiosk and tablet training, with plans to expand support activities for digitally marginalized groups in the future.

Senior job programs are also evaluated as having a positive impact on restoring participants’ self-esteem and strengthening their social roles.

In a satisfaction survey conducted in 2025, both participants and host organizations in the Senior Competency Utilization Project reported ‘very satisfied’ levels, and some welfare facility support projects achieved a 100% satisfaction rate.

There have also been notable cases of change on the ground. Last year, Kim Youngmi (62), who participated in the “Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Management Team,” collaborated with colleagues to create a complaint response manual and, reflecting the area's multicultural characteristics, produced guide signs in five languages (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese).

Kim said, “I felt a great sense of fulfillment knowing that a small idea could make a real difference in citizen safety.”

Pyeon Hyosim (68), who has been working at a nursing home for three years, also said, “My small efforts have become a blessing for someone, and I have reaffirmed that I am still needed by society, which has made my life stronger.”

Gwangmyeong City expands senior jobs by 2.8 times, leading 'new elderly generation' to self-realization beyond 'quantitative growth.' Provided by Gwangmyeong City

Choi Hyemin, Acting Mayor (Deputy Mayor) of Gwangmyeong City, stated, “The experience and wisdom that seniors have accumulated on the ground are the city’s most valuable intangible assets. We will continue to focus our administrative efforts on senior-oriented, customized welfare and expanding high-quality job opportunities so that retirement becomes not a full stop, but a ‘new comma’ and an enjoyable challenge.”

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