Understanding Aging in Korea

Abstract

This study discusses demographic trends, sociocultural characteristics, and policy choices of aging in Korea. The completion of demographic transition results in aging problem in Korea. Although the proportion of the elderly was not so high as to worry about aging before 1990, it is projected that one in eight Koreans will be aged 65 or more in 2020. Because the care for the elderly is mostly expected to be provided by each family, not by the state or Korean society, the role of the family is pivotal in coping with aging problem. Traditional norm, "Hyo" (filial piety) played a great role in providing emotional and material support for the elderly in Korea. Although adult children currently understand that their aged parents need assistance and support from them, they want to solve the issue of support for the elderly in a way different from the traditional. This is the issue of the incongruence of expectations between aged parents and adult children. This paper examines how the changing attitude toward the old is reflected in family life in terms of living arrangement and physical contacts. This paper also describes and discusses the current situation of various welfare policies on the elderly in Korea.