CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

South Korea is undergoing rapid aging, with the nationwide elderly population ratio reaching 19.5% as of June 2024, approaching the threshold for a “super-aged society” (20%). In Chungbuk, the proportion is even higher at 21.4%, meaning the region has already entered the super-aged society category. Significant regional disparities exist within Chungbuk; as early as 2014, five counties had already reached this status. Some areas have either already exceeded or are on the brink of reaching an elderly population ratio of 40%, double the threshold for a super-aged society. If the trends from the past decade persist, most county regions in Chungbuk are expected to have elderly population ratios nearing 50% within the next ten years. Additionally, the proportion of single-person households in Chungbuk stands at 37%, higher than the national average of 34.5%, while the proportion of elderly people living alone also exceeds the national average of 9.1%, with certain rural areas approaching 20%.

While leisure and cultural activities may not be a sole solution to these challenges, they can play a crucial role in making retirement life, which may span 20 to 30 years in the era of a 100-year life expectancy, more fulfilling and rewarding. With this understanding, the research was planned to explore the importance of cultural and leisure activities for the elderly. This report begins by examining the characteristics of senior citizens and the meaning of cultural and leisure activities in their lives, focusing specifically on two groups: general elderly individuals as the main participants in cultural and leisure activities and senior artists.

First, the report examined the current state and features of programs offered at facilities representative of cultural and leisure services for seniors in Chungbuk, such as welfare centers, community centers, cultural centers, and university lifelong education centers. It highlighted the issues stemming from the urban- and township-centered operation of such programs, emphasizing the need to improve accessibility (e.g., providing transportation options). Additionally, it underscored the importance of diversifying program offerings based on demand surveys, pointing to the need for classes on health and other topics beyond arts-focused programs. Furthermore, it introduced domestic and international examples that could serve as benchmarks for enhancing facilities and programs for seniors.

A key element in establishing cultural and arts policies for the elderly is gathering input from both senior citizens and senior artists. For senior artists, the report proposed measures such as providing administrative support services, utilizing underused spaces for communication hubs, establishing shared workshops, securing soundproof rehearsal rooms (which are even more crucial than performance venues), and providing transportation for moving artworks, instruments, and equipment.

For the general elderly population, the study emphasized the importance of addressing mobility challenges by providing transportation options such as “culture buses” to enhance accessibility. It also highlighted the need to prioritize small-scale performances in villages rather than one-time large-scale performances in urban or township centers.

In rural areas, there are significant cultural perception gaps between migrants (returnees or urban-to-rural movers) and native residents. The report proposed various measures to address these gaps, including offering cultural and arts education programs and disseminating information targeted at local leaders. Most critically, the report pointed out that both elderly individuals and senior artists often face exclusion from cultural information. It called for the urgent development of an online platform or application that compiles and provides easy-to-access cultural information specifically tailored for older adults.