Abuse against Older Persons Is Rising Every Year
- A Neighbor's Close Attention Is Where Prevention Begins
- Preventing Abuse against Older Persons Requires a Shift in Perspective: From "Protection" to Recognizing Older Persons as Rights-Holders -
- Statement by the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea on the Prevention of Abuse against Older Persons -
□ On June 15, marking Korea's day for the prevention of abuse against older persons and "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day," the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho) issues this statement calling for our society's attention to, and participation in, efforts to reduce abuse against older persons.
□ Last year, Korea entered a super-aged society, with the population aged 65 and older exceeding 20% of the total population. As the older population grows rapidly, abuse against older persons is likewise increasing every year. What is even more troubling is that the figures released in official statistics reflect only confirmed cases of abuse — the abuse and neglect that go undetected are far more numerous. There are older persons among us who endure suffering alone, without ever being able to ask for help.
□ Abuse against older persons occurs, in most cases, within the everyday spaces of care, within the household and the local community. Prevention, therefore, begins not with institutions, but with the simple act of caring those around us. A greeting offered to an older neighbor living alone, or to one who seems different from usual, can be the starting point that prevents abuse.
□ The international community has come to view older persons not as objects of protection and care, but as rights-holders who exercise their own rights. The United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons has likewise taken up "autonomy, dignity and human rights in situations of dependency in older age" as a thematic focus, emphasizing that an older person's right to self-determination must be respected even at moments when care is needed. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea will also contribute to the drafting of a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, a process now being actively discussed at the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group on Older Persons
□ At the same time, we extend our deep gratitude to those who, on the front lines of care, have looked after older persons' daily lives. The dedication of care workers, ncluding certified care workers and nurses, as well as the social workers at Elder Protection Agencies nationwide, contributes greatly to enabling older persons to live free from fear. When the rights and interests of care workers are respected, the human rights of the older persons receiving care are also more firmly guaranteed. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea will work harder to advance the rights and interests of care workers.
□ This year, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea is carrying out research to develop a framework and indicators for introducing a human rights impact assessment of care services at long-term care facilities for older persons. Going forward, through this human rights impact assessment for older persons, we will carefully examine how older persons' human rights are actually being guaranteed in care settings, and where shortcomings are found, we will listen closely to voices from the field and work to develop improvements.
□ Preventing abuse against older persons is not only about reducing abuse itself. It is about building a society in which everyone, regardless of age, health, or need for care, can live with dignity, and that society is, in the end, our shared future as well. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea, as Korea's national human rights institution, will continue to faithfully fulfill its responsibility to protect and advance the human rights of older persons.
June 15, 2026
Ahn Chang-ho
Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Korea
