By Chung Hyun-chae
Korea should put greater effort into improving the quality of life for its elderly, given how the size of the senior-citizen population continues to increase, officials said Thursday.
At a news conference in the Plaza Hotel Seoul, Marianne Gilchrist, head of health solutions at the Swiss Reinsurance Company, and Han Dong-hee, director of the Research Institute of Science for the Better Living of the Elderly, voiced concerns about Korea's rapidly growing elderly population.
They recommended that Korea seek ways for seniors to delay retirement, and change some of its views regarding life after leaving employment. The government was advised to create more jobs for the elderly.
"The average education level of Korea is quite high. That's why it is important to create more jobs, diversify service sectors more and increase productivity. Skillful seniors can contribute their know-how to the next generations," Gilchrist said.
Han said the government should find better ways of addressing some of Korea's negative statistics related to its aging society, such as the suicide rate.
"We should alter the negative perception some have about their twilight years. We should focus more on preventive measures instead of disease control. A new image for aging is needed," Han said.
Korea should put greater effort into improving the quality of life for its elderly, given how the size of the senior-citizen population continues to increase, officials said Thursday.
At a news conference in the Plaza Hotel Seoul, Marianne Gilchrist, head of health solutions at the Swiss Reinsurance Company, and Han Dong-hee, director of the Research Institute of Science for the Better Living of the Elderly, voiced concerns about Korea's rapidly growing elderly population.
They recommended that Korea seek ways for seniors to delay retirement, and change some of its views regarding life after leaving employment. The government was advised to create more jobs for the elderly.
"The average education level of Korea is quite high. That's why it is important to create more jobs, diversify service sectors more and increase productivity. Skillful seniors can contribute their know-how to the next generations," Gilchrist said.
Han said the government should find better ways of addressing some of Korea's negative statistics related to its aging society, such as the suicide rate.
"We should alter the negative perception some have about their twilight years. We should focus more on preventive measures instead of disease control. A new image for aging is needed," Han said.
![[INTERVIEW] South Korea needs to make decision on sending lethal aid to Ukraine : CNAS CEO](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/a2180e54d7664819812514cc3d605dd5.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Foreign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/4a6b2bd3d23044d699dee3c5bb956863.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
