Jeollanam-do to Provide Record High of Over 73,000 Senior Jobs This Year

Exterior view of Jeollanam-do Provincial Office

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Jeollanam-do Province announced that it will invest a total of 308.4 billion won in senior employment support programs, which have been proven to have positive effects such as alleviating poverty, improving health, and preventing social isolation, to provide jobs to more than 73,000 seniors, the largest number ever.

As of December 2025, the population of seniors aged 65 or older in Jeonnam is about 500,000. They account for 28.5% of the total population, which is 7.3 percentage points higher than the national average of 21.2%, making it the region with the highest aging rate among the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces.

Accordingly, demand is continuously increasing for income security and participation in social activities through senior jobs.

Reflecting these regional conditions, Jeollanam-do is steadily expanding support for senior employment. Over the past three years (2023 to 2025), it has invested a total of 734.1 billion won to provide jobs to more than 189,000 seniors.

The senior employment support programs are operated in four types: (1) public-interest activities for basic pension recipients aged 65 or older, (2) competency-utilization services providing professional services to vulnerable groups, (3) community project groups in which seniors aged 60 or older directly participate in manufacturing and sales, and (4) employment support that connects seniors to jobs at private companies.

Among these, the community project group type utilizes seniors' experience and expertise to sell products and services in businesses such as laundry services, restaurants, and cafes. Based on business performance, profits are distributed to participating seniors, which has been well received.

Gichan Bapsang and Gichan Laundry in Yeongam-gun are among the successful community project group cases. In January this year, based on their track record of stable operations, they expanded to open a second Gichan Bapsang location and add a second Gichan Laundry vehicle, newly hiring more than 35 seniors.

Jang Youngbeom, Director of the Yeongam-gun Senior Club, which oversees the Yeongam-gun community project group, said, "The seniors work with the mindset that this is the last workplace of their lives, so their willingness to work and morale are higher than anyone else's," adding, "We also provide performance-based bonuses without an upper limit."

Senior Clubs, which serve as senior employment support institutions, are currently operated in 14 cities and counties (Yeosu, Suncheon, Naju, Gwangyang, Damyang, Gokseong, Goheung, Boseong, Haenam, Yeongam, Muan, Yeonggwang, Jangseong, and Wando). Jeollanam-do plans to establish new Senior Clubs in two additional areas this year and ultimately expand to 22 Senior Clubs in all 22 cities and counties.

Jeong Gwangseon, Director General of Health and Welfare for Jeollanam-do Province, said, "For seniors, jobs are welfare, health, and happiness," and added, "We will continue to expand senior employment so that old age is free from worry in Jeonnam."

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