A Study on the Transformation of Social Management Paradigm in Super-Aged Society

Abstract

As Korea's aging population progressed rapidly, 40% (Statistics Office) of cities, counties, and districts nationwide already entered a super-aged society. UN standards classify aging society, aging society, and super-aged society when the proportion of people aged 65 or older to the total population is 7%, 14%, and 20%. According to the National Statistical Office's forecast (2020-2070 Future Population Estimation) according to the current trend, the entire country will enter a super-aged society by 2025. As such, aging requires a major shift in the paradigm of social management as a phenomenon that has a great ripple effect on society as a whole. If Korea's population aging progresses slowly over 100 years like other countries in the world, society will gradually adapt and change in line with the changing demographic structure. However, the pace of aging in Korea is unprecedentedly fast. Korea ranks first in the elderly poverty rate and the elderly suicide rate among OECD member countries. The quality of life of the elderly falls short of the OECD average. These phenomena are inevitable results of failure to prepare for a new paradigm shift of population aging. Some experts warn that more problems will emerge in the future as Korea's elderly population is close to 38% in 2050 and is expected to become the world's oldest country. This is a well-known fact that no group, no policy, or specific person can be held accountable. Overall, it is a topic that individuals, groups (businesses, etc.), and countries should constantly think about. Hints were obtained from Japan, which currently lives in a super-aged society, and the contents that previous researchers commonly pay attention to were collected and prioritized. In conclusion, in order to solve the aging problem, the elderly must be the subject of production and consumption. Just as customers are aging, it is necessary to consider an alternative family community due to the improvement of the education system system system and the increase of single-person households for fundamental social system adjustment and change.