Lee Junggeun, President of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, Vows to Be a Pillar for 10 Million Seniors on Senior Citizens' Day

by Choi Seoyoon

Published 02 Oct.2025 11:00(KST)

"The Dedication and Endurance of Seniors Shaped the Prosperous History of Korea"

Lee Junggeun, President of the Korea Senior Citizens Association and Chairman of Booyoung Group, stated on October 2, "The Korea Senior Citizens Association will continue to strive as a respected organization contributing to national and social development. We will work to improve the treatment of seniors and develop better policies," adding, "I promise to do my utmost to serve as a reliable pillar representing 10 million seniors."

Lee Joonggeun, chairman of the Korea Senior Citizens Association and chairman of Booyoung Group. Booyoung Group

Lee made these remarks at the 29th Senior Citizens' Day ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Korea Senior Citizens Association, held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on this day. He said, "It is often said that old age is the twilight of life, but I would rather call it the golden period when the fruits of life shine." He continued, "Our country has become the prosperous Republic of Korea it is today thanks to the sweat and sacrifices of seniors during turbulent times such as the Japanese occupation and the Korean War. We must not forget that we exist because of their dedication and endurance."

The event was attended by approximately 400 people, including Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eunkyung, who read President Lee Jaemyung's congratulatory message; Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Jang Donghyeok, leader of the People Power Party; Lee Jongchan, President of the Liberation Association and senior advisor to the Korea Senior Citizens Association; Jeong Daecheol, President of the Constitutional Assembly of Korea; Park Jumin, Chairman of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee; as well as executives and advisors of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, federation presidents, and local chapter presidents.

During the ceremony, two centenarians (Park Sunrye and Kim Junbae), who turned 100 this year, were presented with the Cheongnyeojang (longevity cane), and 34 individuals were recognized for their contributions (including 2 Orders of Merit, 2 Medals of Honor, 13 Presidential Commendations, and 17 Prime Minister's Commendations).

Emphasizing the importance of being a dignified elder, Lee, who took office as President of the Korea Senior Citizens Association in October last year, proposed several initiatives to enhance the rights and welfare of seniors: raising the official age for seniors, promoting a home-based end-of-life care system, establishing a new population bureau, constructing a central headquarters for the Korea Senior Citizens Association, and supporting volunteers within the association.

In particular, Lee has compared the issue of an aging population to a snowball rolling down a distant hill, and, to fundamentally manage the senior population in a super-aged society, he has proposed gradually raising the official senior age from the current 65 to 75, by one year each year, to maintain an appropriate balance. He also suggested revitalizing the home-based end-of-life care system, enabling seniors to choose a dignified death at home with their families.

Additionally, Lee has proposed the reinstatement of United Nations Day as a national holiday, emphasizing gratitude toward UN forces who participated in the Korean War and the importance of passing on this spirit to future generations. United Nations Day, established to commemorate the founding of the United Nations on October 24, 1945, with the goal of international peace and security, was a legal holiday in Korea until 1975. However, after North Korea joined UN-affiliated organizations by 1975, the holiday designation was abolished in 1976 as a form of protest.

Lee stated, "If United Nations Day is designated as a national holiday, it could serve as an opportunity to improve diplomatic relations with the 60 countries that assisted us during the Korean War, and it would also benefit the future of Korea and our descendants."