The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) held an open debate on the policy for the promotion and protection of rights of the elderly on 24 September 2012.
Currently, the population of the elderly is 7~13% and expectedly increased more than 14% within 5 years in the Korean society. Poverty rate of the elderly population is three times more severe than that of the average and their suicide rate is worrisome according to OECD.
In this regard, NHRCK noted that the improvement of human rights situation of the elderly is an imminent issue to address and thus established the Policy Planning Group on the Promotion and Protection of Rights of the Senior Citizen (hereinafter “Policy Planning Group”) comprising of experts from the academia and civil society. The Policy Planning Group had a number of consultations for devising policy alternatives.
At the forum, important issues such as income, labor, health, long-term hospitalization, suicide, abuse, and neglect of the senior citizen was presented and an expert discussion was held.
NHRCK will make a relevant recommendation to related organizations for legislative and institutional improvement on the promotion and protection of rights of the senior citizen.
