“The 3rd World Senior Citizens Day, hosted by the Age Platform, was successfully held.”

"Retirement is a new beginning, a new start."  

Senior Hero Award, Ceremony,Lecture on Continued Work and Brazilian Ensemble,Trot, and Rock Band Performances.

 On the afternoon of the 22nd August , the Maeheon Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in Yangjae-dong, Seoul , was filled with the enthusiasm and applause of seniors . On this day , the 3rd World Senior Citizen's Day was held , and the stage with music, lectures , awards, and congratulatory speeches delivered the message, “We are not over yet . The lives of seniors continue even after retirement . ” The event was hosted by the Age Platform and organized by the World Senior Citizen's Day Korea Joint Steering Committee and the Korea Association of Retired Persons (KARP) . Approximately 200 people attended, including Age Platform Chairman Juch Myong-yong ( President of the Korea Association of Retired Persons ) , Korea Press Association Chairman Joo Dong-dam , Reebom CEO Jo Yeon-mi , and 100- Year -Old Era Publisher Lee Hyeon- suk .World Senior Citizen's Day was established in 1988 by US President Ronald Reagan to commemorate the " third age " of the elderly generation , and is observed annually on August 21st . In Korea, the Age Platform has held a commemorative ceremony every year since its first declaration ceremony in 2023. This year, the theme was set as "Retirement is a new beginning , a new start " with the aim of shedding new light on seniors, a key human resource in a super-aged society .

The event opened with a performance by the Brazilian percussion ensemble Horay . The nine young members, drumming and belting out a lively rhythm and powerful performance, instantly electrified the audience . Following them,Juch Myong-yong, chairman of the Age Platform, took to the stage in his welcoming remarks, saying, “Seniors are not a generation that needs to be protected , but rather the protagonists of life who learn, work, and contribute to society.” He emphasized , “Getting older is not a stop, but the beginning of a new challenge . We expect you to play a major role as protagonists of a ‘Baebeolsa’ ( a society where people learn, earn, and living ) . ” Joo Dong-dam, chairman of the Korea Press Association, said in his congratulatory remarks, “Today’s event is not a simple commemorative event , but a place to declare how we will age,” and added, “I hope that Senior Citizen Day will take root like the elderly . ” Lee Jun-seok, leader of the New Reform Party , Lee Jeong-hyeon , member of the National Assembly, Choi Nak-do , chairman of the National Senior Citizens Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Park No-sook, president of the Korea Senior Citizens Welfare Centers Association, also sent congratulatory messages .

Following the congratulatory remarks, the event proceeded with the '2025 Senior Hero ' award ceremony , a special lecture by Woo Young-seop, a specialist member of the Korea Retired Persons Association , and a performance . The ' 2025 Senior Hero' award , given to seniors who have contributed to creating a healthy aging society atmosphere where people can work regardless of age while working in the field with expertise , went to In Nam-soon, director of the Korea Traditional Culture Research Institute , and Jang Ki-bong, general director of the Korea Senior Star Association, who were selected and received the award . The awardees who came on stage left a deep impression with their short remarks, "Age is just a number . I still have a lot to do . "

Woo Young-seop, a specialist at the Korea Association of Retired Persons, gave a detailed explanation to seniors about the crises, challenges , and solutions facing the elderly through a presentation on the topic of “Continued Work and Baebeolsa . ” He emphasized the need for a “continued employment” system that would actually maintain jobs , saying , “ Simply extending the retirement age cannot solve the problem . ” Specialist Woo said, “ Due to the low birth rate and aging population, those over 60 need to continue their productive activities, but only about 1 in 10 workers reach the retirement age of 60. The extension of the retirement age to 65 that is currently being discussed is facing conflicting opinions between labor and management, and the related amendment is also facing difficulties , ” emphasizing that an agreement between the government, businesses , and generations is necessary . Woo emphasized, “In Japan, which entered a super-aged society ahead of us, most companies are hiring people until the age of 65 through measures such as extending or abolishing the retirement age and rehiring people after retirement , and the number of companies extending the retirement age to 70 is increasing.” He added , “Like in Japan, we need to establish policies to support continued employment , practical re-employment and technological entrepreneurship , and multi-employment . ”

Following the special lecture, a series of performances ensued, creating an exciting atmosphere . The president of the World Laughter Movement Sports Federation, who took the stage first, delivered a laughter-themed performance that had the participants belting out laughter . Next, trot singer Luakim delivered a touching performance with a lyrical song, prompting supporters to rise, wave placards, and cheer for Luakim . Finally, the senior rock band "Heydays" took the stage , enlivening the participants with a powerful performance . Heydays, with Chairman Juch Myong-yong as the bassist, capped off the event with seven songs, including "By the River Babylon" and "Sweet Caroline ." Participants clapped their hands to the beat, sang along, and even jumped out to dance, transforming the venue into a disco venue .

 All participants received souvenirs that day . The participants left with a sense of regret, saying, "We've confirmed that even as we age, we can still perform on stage , work , and contribute to society . " The World Senior Citizen's Day event was more than just a mere commemoration . The stage, which featured performances, lectures , awards, and welcoming remarks, delivered a powerful message: "Seniority is not the end, but a new beginning . "