Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City메이저사이트, paid 5 million won to a 111-year-old longevity as a ‘congratulatory money’. It is intended to encourage a social atmosphere in which filial piety is practiced at the local government level, but some point out that it is excessive to pay congratulatory money with taxes in a situation where the meaning of longevity for the elderly is not the same as before.
Nam-gu announced on the 5th that “the oldest person in the district, Mr. A (111), was given a congratulatory gift of 5 million won, a congratulatory plaque, and a family photo shoot worth 200,000 won on the 3rd.”
Cheonsei celebration money is in accordance with the ‘Ordinance on Encouraging and Supporting Filial Actions’ amended by Nam-gu in May. This ordinance is characterized by a significant expansion of filial piety allowances and targets.
There are several local governments besides Gwangju that pay congratulatory money to seniors living in the city for more than five years and living with three generations. Yongsan-gu in Seoul, Gyeyang-gu in Incheon, Goyang in Gyeonggi-do, and Buk-gu in Ulsan also pay 200,000 to 300,000 won each year to those over the age of 80.
Gwangju Nam-gu pays 5 million won to 110-year-olds, and separately provides family photo shoots and health check-up tickets worth 200,000 won each year to those aged 111-112. This kind of filial piety allowance is unique in Nam-gu in the country. An official from Nam-gu said, “This ordinance was revised to encourage the practice of filial piety at the local government level, considering the reality that filial piety, a traditional value, is losing its place.”
Opinions are divided over the ordinance that greatly expanded the filial piety allowance. While longevity seniors and their households are generally welcome, there are also opinions that it is an excessive benefit. As the elderly population is rapidly increasing, the symbolism and meaning of longevity over 100 years old is not the same as before. As much tax is invested, there are voices of concern about business continuity.
According to the resident registration demographics of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, as of last May, there were a total of 41 elderly people over the age of 100 living in Nam-gu, including Mr. A. There are 198 in Gwangju City and 8758 nationwide. Compared to last year, Gwangju increased by 14 (184 last year) and nationwide by 348 (8410).
In order to spread a culture of filial piety, there is also a view that a serious approach and consideration for the issue of the elderly should come first, rather than a one-time celebration money.
Ki Woo-sik, secretary general of Participatory Autonomy 21, said, “What kind of positive impact can Cheonse Congratulatory Money have on an aging society? In the end, isn’t it a policy that is nothing more than a ‘popularism’?” “If you really want to encourage a social atmosphere in which filial piety is practiced, you need to think about what problems the elderly and their families are facing and how you can help them in the long run. do,” he said.