The Age of 130 Begins: FORUM 130+ Holds Its First International Symposium

On May 31st, a gathering of architects, physicians, engineers, and urban planners convened at the AT Center in Yangjae to ask a question that would have seemed implausible just a generation ago: What does society look like when people routinely live past 130?

The occasion was the First International Symposium hosted by FORUM 130+, an emerging platform dedicated to reimagining what it means to grow old in the 21st century. Under the theme "The Age of 130: The Future of Silver Mobility and Community Innovation," the event marks the formal launch of a movement that believes longevity, handled well, can be one of humanity's greatest achievements.

Beyond Survival

South Korea is no longer approaching a super-aged society. It has already arrived. With average life expectancy now exceeding 83 years and projections pointing even higher, the country faces a set of questions that its institutions, infrastructure, and cultural norms were never designed to answer. How should cities be built for people in their 80s and 90s? What does healthcare look like when chronic illness is the norm rather than the exception? And perhaps most urgently — how do we ensure that a longer life is also a dignified one?

These are the questions FORUM 130+ was created to address. Operating under the vision of "designing a beautiful journey toward a healthy and fulfilling life," the organization positions itself not as a response to a crisis, but as the architect of a new paradigm. The goal, as its founders put it, is a life in old age that is "beautiful, dignified, peaceful, safe, and sustainable."

A New Conversation About How We Age

The first session examined the intersection of community design and healthy aging, featuring three presentations:

• Sean Kim, (Current Partner @ Pacific Bloom), will present on "The Concept of Silver Mobility Platforms and Community Expansion," exploring how mobility-centered platforms can strengthen social connection among older adults.

• Dr. Lee Ho-gap, former Executive Director of Samsung Noblecare County, will draw on real-world case studies to discuss "Alternatives Through Actual Silver Community Examples."

• Dr. Nam Yun-ju, Director of Zainplus Hospital, will address "The Role and Direction of Community Hospitals in an Aging Society," highlighting the evolving responsibilities of local healthcare institutions.

The second session focused on the physical and technological environments that support dignified aging:

• Professor Kim Seong-ryong of Hankyong National University will present on "Understanding Dementia-Friendly Spaces," examining design principles that support cognitive well-being.

• Kang Hyo-jin, Director of Caredoc Care Home, will speak on "Holistic Wellness: Senior Space Strategies for Slower Aging," outlining spatial approaches that promote longevity and vitality.

• Professor Cho Wi-deok will close the session with a presentation on "Intelligent Space Design for Smart Silver Life Care," exploring how technology and design can converge to support independent living.

About FORUM 130+

The event was jointly hosted by the founding preparatory team of the Korea Association 130+ and Magazine HD, with over 100 professionals from across the silver industry expected to attend.

FORUM 130+ operates under the vision of "designing a beautiful journey toward a healthy and fulfilling life," with the aim of presenting a new framework for a society that looks beyond 100 years of age — toward 130 and beyond. In a time of rapid population aging and expanding lifespans, the forum seeks to move the conversation past mere survival, toward a meaningful and sustainable quality of life for older adults.

Through this inaugural symposium, the Korea Association 130+ signals its formal launch as an organization committed to cross-sector collaboration, ongoing research and discourse, effective networking, and industry convergence. It aims to be a sustained contributor to innovation and ecosystem-building within the next generation of the silver industry.

A Statement of Purpose

A spokesperson for FORUM 130+ shared the following:

"With this First International Symposium, we have opened the first chapter in a serious national effort to prepare for a super-aged society. South Korea has already entered that reality, and as the older population grows, wide-ranging change is needed — across policy, architecture, healthcare, economics, and society at large. Above all, we believe that 'dignity' — the most essential of human values — must be at the center of how the silver industry develops. The Korea Association 130+ will continue to put forward innovative solutions so that life in old age can be beautiful, dignified, peaceful, safe, and sustainable." - Sean Kim

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‘FORUM 130+’ 첫 국내 국제 심포지엄

인류 수명의 새로운 지평을 열어갈 시대적 담론의 장, FORUM 130+가 <제1회 국제 심포지엄>을 개최했다. 5월 31일, 서울 양재 AT센터 창조룸-II에서 개최된 <제1회 국제 심포지엄>은 ‘130세 시대, 실버모빌리티의 미래와 커뮤니티 혁신’이라는 주제로, 다양한 전문가들과 함께 초고령 시대의 새로운 패러다임을 모색했다. 

행사 첫 순서로 김경인 박사(환경공학자)가 '나이 들어 이런 곳에 살고 싶다'를 주제로 기조 강연을 펼치며 하루의 문을 열었다. 이어진 세션 1에서는 <커뮤니티와 건강>을 테마로 세 명의 전문가가 차례로 단상에 올랐다. Pacific Bloom의 김선국 대표가 '실버모빌리티 플랫폼의 개념과 커뮤니티 확장'을 주제로 발표했으며, 전 삼성노블카운티 상무 이호갑 박사는 실제 실버 커뮤니티 사례를 바탕으로 한 현실적 대안을 제시했다. 마지막으로 자인플러스병원 남윤주 병원장이 '고령화 시대, 커뮤니티병원으로서의 역할과 방향성'을 주제로 강연하며 지역 의료기관이 나아가야 할 방향을 짚었다.

세션 2에서는 <실버 모빌리티의 공간>을 테마로 세 명의 전문가가 발표를 이어갔다. 한경국립대학교 김성룡 교수가 '치매 친화적 공간에 대한 이해'를 주제로 발표했으며, 케어닥케어홈 강효진 소장은 'Holistic Wellness — 저속노화가 가능한 시니어 공간전략'을 통해 노화를 늦추는 공간 설계의 가능성을 제시했다. 마지막으로 조위덕 교수가 '스마트 실버 라이프 케어를 위한 지능공간 디자인'을 발표하며 기술과 공간이 융합된 미래 돌봄 환경의 청사진을 그렸다. 이번 심포지엄은 사단법인 130+ 창립준비팀과 매거진HD가 공동 주최했으며, 실버산업 각 분야의 관계자 100여 명이 참석해 성황을 이뤘다.

FORUM 130+는 "건강하고 행복한 삶을 위한 아름다운 여정의 설계"라는 비전 아래, 100세 시대를 넘어 130세 이상을 바라보는 초고령 사회에 대한 새로운 패러다임을 제시하고자 설립됐다. 급속한 인구 고령화와 수명 연장의 흐름 속에서 단순한 생존을 넘어, 품위 있고 지속 가능한 노년의 삶으로의 질적 전환을 이끌어가겠다는 것이 그 핵심 방향이다. 사단법인 130+는 이번 제1회 국제 심포지엄을 새로운 출발점으로 삼아 공식 창립을 준비하고 있다. 앞으로 국내외 유관 기관과의 협력, 지속적인 연구와 담론, 실효성 있는 네트워킹, 그리고 산업 간 융합을 통해 차세대 실버산업의 혁신과 생태계 조성에 꾸준히 기여해 나갈 계획이다.

FORUM 130+ 관계자는 “이번에 개최될 <제1회 국제 심포지엄>에서 초고령 사회를 본격적으로 대비하기 위한 첫 포문을 열었다. 대한민국은 이미 초고령 사회에 진입했으며, 노인 인구가 늘어남에 따라 그에 따른 정책과 건축, 의료, 경제, 사회 등 산업 전반에 걸쳐 다양한 변화가 필요한 시점이다. 특히 인간이 가져야 할 가장 중요한 덕목인 ‘존엄성’에 초점을 두고, 건강하고 안전한 실버산업이 개발되어야 할 것이다. 사단법인 130+는 노년기의 삶이 아름답고, 깔끔하고, 평화롭고, 안전하고, 지속 가능하게 유지될 수 있도록 다양한 혁신적인 방안들을 제시하며, 이를 실현할 수 있도록 꾸준한 활동을 이어나갈 것”이라고 밝혔다.