Korea has a population that's rapidly getting older... not only because people are living
longer, but also because of the country's low birth rate.
And with so many people due to retire, they need to find a happy and healthy way to spend
the decades after they leave the workforce.
In this report, we take a look at the village of Anchon, a community of active and engaged
senior citizens.
With the impending retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, interest in planning post-retirement
life is heating up.
How can a balanced life be secured after retirement?
We searched for the answer in Miryang’s Anchon Village, a community of happy retirees.
The slopes of Geumo-san Mountain in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do province are known for their
pristine environment and beautiful surroundings.
Country homes can be seen here and there in the forest.
Roughly 200 households reside in the village, and 90% of them are retirees from cities.
"The residents of the village have mostly come here after retirement.
They come from diverse professional backgrounds, including teachers, doctors, lawyers, and
journalists.)
At the local cooperative space, residents with diverse backgrounds have gathered, including
teachers, doctors, artists and professors.
They’ve gathered because today there is a meeting today for the publication of the
village newspaper, ‘Anchon’’ These residents, ranging from 3 to 10 years
into retirement, say that retirement is a new beginning, not the end of social life.
The village newspaper was a starting point to that end.
"We made a newspaper combining the opinions of many people to express the desires of the
village residents and examine the best way to further upgrade our village."
From light news stories in the village to coverage of the residents’ hobbies, the
newspaper is an opportunity to come together, and provides a sense of accomplishment.
"The residents do the writing and pay for the cost of distribution.
I appreciate that kind of attitude.
I trust that our village will be unified and that there will be further development.
I also feel a great sense of accomplishment."
The reporters roam throughout the village to gather information.
Lee Bong-woo, was an elementary school teacher in Busan.
After retiring in 2012, he relocated to this village with his wife.
"There were many difficulties at first, but I think I am now at a certain level thanks
to help from residents and experienced elderly ladies and gentlemen."
Lively interaction with neighbors is a very important factor in retired life.
Ms. Han cooks dishes with the nutritious produce grown with her husband in their fields, and
invites neighbors to enjoy them.
"We received water parsley from our neighbors, so I used it to cook something with chives
that we grew at home, onions and peppers."
.)
Contributions from the village residents turns the table into a mouthwatering spread.
"Thank you all for coming.
Cheers " "Cheers "
The residents all met here for the first time, but by now, they are more like attentive family
than mere neighbors.
"I have two granddaughters.
When they get sick, neighbors help bring them to the hospital.
I feel satisfied with life because I am living well, in a different way compared to my past."
Ms. Han took up traditional calligraphy after retirement.
She is living a new life as an artist, even winning awards in National art competitions.
She advises that a hobby is a necessity for a happy retired life.
"Because the lifestyle is very different from the hustle and bustle of city life, people
can easily get bored or have other thoughts.
Some learn western painting styles.
Others write essays or poems."
Cheon Sang-ryul, one of the first arrivals at the Anchon village 15 years ago, enjoys
listening to music.
He even built a separate music appreciation room, where he engages in his hobby.
A fan of classical music and movies, he is known as the village’s culture coordinator.
"There were just five new households at first, so we gathered every night to listen to music
and discuss various village issues."
The village’s culture was able to take root through the efforts of the first retired residents,
including Mr. Cheon.
Now, new changes are appearing in Anchon.
Younger residents have been appearing, as they plan for their post-retirement lives.
"Many people left behind their homes in the city to come here and commute.
The arrival of many young people has been very helpful to enhancing the atmosphere of
our village, thanks to their talent donations and various other factors."
Anchon is a village of retirees where careful planning has brought together work, hobbies,
personal life and community.
We applaud the residents’ start of a 2nd stage in life.