A silver town (Korean: 실버타운) is a type of luxury retirement home common in South Korea.[1] These retirement homes include a variety of amenities including fitness centers, beauty salons, restaurants, libraries, and educational programs.[2] Silvertowns target the rich.[3]
History
editIn 1988, the first silvertown in South Korea opened in Suwon following relaxations in elderly welfare laws that ended the prohibition on for-profit retirement homes.[2]
In 2009, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon promoted the construction of silvertowns, stating that they provide alternatives for those outside of lowest income-bracket.[3]
The industry has rapidly expanded as a result of South Korea's aging population.
Silvertowns contrast with traditional Confucian beliefs that children should stay with their parents to take care of them.
The Korea Herald (2011) https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20110811000779
Yonhap News Agency (2013) https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20130418008700315
https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO200622219400193.page
Silvertown (without space)
Arirang News (2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqStNjS76rg
During the November 2021 surge in COVID-19 infections in South Korea, silvertowns became hotspots of infections as residents were unable to be moved out due to a dearth of hospital beds.[4]
Korea Joongang Daily (2022)
Korean Society of Food and Cookery Science https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO200817959501894.view?orgId=anpor&hide=breadcrumb,journalinfo
Other sources
https://www.donga.com/news/list/article/all/20221022/116073993/1
- ^ Kim, Songhee S.; Tribune, International Herald (1996-05-14). "'Silver' Starts to Boom in South Korea". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ a b "Serving seniors: A big new business". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2006-08-22. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ a b Kwon, Mee-yoo (2009-11-04). "Four Silver Towns for Old to Be Build". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ "As Covid hits 'silvertowns' hard, many elderly are left waiting for help". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2023-03-01.