The 52nd Parent’s Day Celebration

A Peaceful and Happy May, the Month of Family

On this Parent’s Day, I congratulate and thank all parents and seniors for being here. 

May is known as the National Family Month, isn’t it? 

It has many special days, including Parent’s Day, Children’s Day, Couple’s Day, and Teacher’s Day.

Why was May designated as the National Family Month with so many special days? 

Because it is a wonderful month. It’s a time when families are peaceful and happy, 

and everyone feels loved and cherished, which is why there are so many special days.

We Will Repay Our Parents’ Grace with Social Consideration

When we think of Parent’s Day, we naturally think of the grace of our parents. 

Some may wonder if it’s necessary to explicitly state something so obvious. 

To come into this world, we need our parents. 

We exist because of our parents, and this alone is something we should be grateful for and repay.

As times change, it has become more important to commemorate, respect, and care for these values. 

Our values and societal circumstances have changed significantly. 

It has become difficult to uphold these virtues as we once did.

Today, more families live separately than together. 

Over 30% of our seniors aged 65 and older live alone. 

This would have been unimaginable in the past 

when everyone took care of their parents and maintained family communities. 

Now, one-third of seniors live alone.

This trend is expected to continue. 

Therefore, we must reconsider the concept of family communities. 

Beyond the family unit, social consideration is necessary to ensure 

that our seniors are respected and live happy lives.

For a Happy and Balanced Society

One of the significant societal changes is low birth rates and an aging population. 

The Republic of Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world among 236 countries. 

This means that in the future, even if parents deserve to be cared for, 

there will be no children to care for them.

Furthermore, the aging population is increasing rapidly. 

No country on Earth is aging as quickly as Korea. 

Our average lifespan has surpassed 83 years, up from 52 years just 60 years ago. 

In 60 years, our lifespan has increased by 30 years. 

When I look around today, I see many healthy 70, 80, and 90-year-olds. 

In Incheon alone, there are 500 centenarians. We must now cater to our senior citizens.

In Incheon, there are 500,000 people aged 65 and older. 

If they are not happy, how can our society be happy? 

Although I won’t detail all our policies here, 

Incheon will continue to implement measures to ensure our seniors live happy lives.

We Will Implement Policies That Respect the Pioneers Who Built Today’s Korea

Parents can be in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s,

but there are reasons we need to respect and care for those in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. 

They are the ones who made Korea’s rapid growth and development possible. 

You, the seniors, built today’s Korea, transforming it into a country beyond imagination.

Many of you have experienced hardships. 

Korea has gone from severe poverty to becoming the world’s 10th-largest economy. 

We are now a cultural powerhouse, with K-pop introducing Korea globally. 

K-food and K-sports are also gaining worldwide attention. 

You, our seniors, deserve respect for these achievements. 

Future generations must continue this legacy and build an even better society.

Therefore, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure 

that our seniors are respected and lead lives worthy of their contributions. 

I pledge to work toward this as your mayor.

Maintain a Willingness and Effort for a Healthy Life

Social support and policy assistance are important, 

but personal effort and determination for a healthy life are also essential. 

Saying “I am old now” is meaningless. In Incheon, there are 500 centenarians. 

Can you claim to be old in front of them? 

Centenarians often say to 80-year-olds, “You’re still in your prime.” 

They even called me a “baby mayor” when I greeted them. 

Everything is relative. Aim to live a healthy life to 100 and beyond.

Embrace the mindset of maintaining a healthy, vibrant life. 

Believe you are young. This mindset is key to happiness. 

Let us all work together to create a happy society in Incheon. Thank you.