BUSAN — The Busan Metropolitan Government is stepping up direct consultations with senior citizens to gather views on mobility rights and expanded welfare services and reflect them in policy.
Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo will visit the Busan Senior Center on the afternoon of the 9th to meet executives of the Busan Metropolitan Chapter of the Korean Senior Citizens Association and discuss the direction of local senior welfare policy and key issues, the city said on the 9th.
Attendees include Park Jong-soo, head of the Busan Metropolitan Chapter of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, along with vice chairs and the heads of chapters in the city's 16 districts and counties. They plan to convey difficulties they face on the ground in areas such as the operation of senior community halls and welfare services, along with policy proposals.
Founded in 1970, the Busan Metropolitan Chapter of the Korean Senior Citizens Association has 16 district and county branches and about 186,000 members. It runs programs ranging from promoting senior welfare and rights to supporting senior community halls, senior employment and volunteer work.
Main agenda items include expanding integrated senior welfare facilities by district and providing public transit — bus — fare support for those aged 70 and over. Also on the table are wider installation and operation of smart senior community halls and plans to host the 2027 National Senior Health Festival in Busan.
Bus fare support to improve mobility for older adults is drawing particular attention in the city's senior welfare policy. The city said it plans to use views gathered on the ground to develop policy solutions that older residents can feel in their daily lives.
The city plans to consult with district and county governments on the proposals raised at the meeting, continue supporting improvements to aging senior community halls, and review expanding welfare services by examining demand for and access to district senior welfare centers.
It will also work to ensure that related funding is reflected in next year's budget process so that Busan can host the 2027 National Senior Health Festival.
"We plan to identify and pursue senior welfare policies that older residents can feel in their daily lives, based on voices from the field," a city official said.
