Third consecutive certification following 2018 and 2022 cycles; age-friendly policies to continue through 2027–2031
Nation's first AI-powered senior center management system and smart senior centers showcase the 'Yangcheon model' of age-friendly governance
Yangcheon-gu has become the first district in Seoul to receive third-cycle certification from the World Health Organization's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, again affirming its standing as a leading age-friendly city.
The WHO's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities is an international cooperative framework that comprehensively evaluates policies and implementation systems across eight domains — including housing, transportation and community welfare — in response to global population aging. The district first joined the network in 2018 and received second-cycle recertification in 2022. Its third certification, granted this August, marks eight consecutive years of recognized progress in age-friendly policy.
With the share of residents aged 65 and older now exceeding 20 percent, Yangcheon-gu has entered super-aged society status. In line with that shift, the district plans to pursue a more comprehensive set of age-friendly policies covering daily life — housing, transportation, employment, health and care — throughout the third-cycle implementation period from 2027 to 2031.
The 'Yangcheon model' of age-friendly policy, distinguished by digital innovation and outreach-based care
Through its second-cycle operations, the district expanded its policy scope beyond physical facilities and environmental improvements to encompass health, care and digital support for seniors' everyday lives. Key achievements include the nationwide-first mobile senior center management system "AI Maeumsallime" (AI Village Care), the development of 30 smart senior centers that use an IoT-based platform to support health management and digital leisure, and renovation or expansion projects at 13 aging senior centers — together forming the distinctive Yangcheon model of age-friendly policy.
Building on those results, the district received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award at the 4th Korea Healthy Age-Friendly City Policy Awards in March, recognizing its excellence in responding to a super-aged society and driving digital welfare innovation.
Also launched in March was "Y Integrated Care," a program that delivers tailored health, medical and care services to seniors in their own homes and communities. Eight specialized initiatives unique to the district — including a Yangcheon-style home exercise coaching service, a traditional Korean medicine primary care program and a household repair dispatch service — have drawn strong public response, with a total of 1,825 care service cases provided to date.
Third-cycle five-year action plan (2027–2031) takes age-friendly policy to the next level
Drawing on its second-cycle achievements, the district will pursue its third cycle under the goal of making Yangcheon "an age-friendly city where both seniors and all residents can thrive." The plan encompasses 81 detailed projects across the eight age-friendly city domains — outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, social inclusion, employment, communication and information, and health and community care — advancing policy to a higher level.
By sector, "health and community care" accounts for the largest share with 29 projects, followed by "social participation" with 24. Key initiatives include revitalizing senior center programs for active aging, improving safe residential environments for seniors, operating dementia support centers, and providing IoT-based smart care for elderly people living alone — all aimed at supporting healthy aging and sustained social engagement.
The district will also expand demand-driven, personalized policies that move away from one-size-fits-all support by closely reflecting the diverse needs of seniors, including single-person households and active older adults. Representative programs include "Drawing the Heart, Connecting Life," which supports cultural and arts activities for seniors in single-person households and those with limited cultural access, and "ESG Slow Walking," which uses a smartphone app to promote health and social interaction through nature walks.
"The WHO Age-Friendly City third-cycle certification — the first for any Seoul district — is the result of eight years of consistently identifying and developing the policies that seniors need most in their daily lives," Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Ki-jae said.
He added that the district would "stay one step ahead of the changes brought by entering a super-aged society, weaving together policies across care, health, housing, employment, leisure and digital life, and build a Yangcheon where seniors and every generation can live healthy, happy lives together."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
