Kim Jin-oh, the newly appointed vice chair of the Committee on Low Fertility and Aging Society, said on April 17 that this year must mark the start of a shift in South Korea’s population policy.
At his inauguration, Vice Chair Kim said he will keep in mind that every population policy affects citizens’ daily lives and children’s futures. He pledged to design policies that people can actually feel and to work tirelessly to deliver concrete results.
Addressing the total fertility rate’s rebound in 2024 and its continued uptick last year, Kim warned against complacency. He urged officials to seize the next three to four years as a “golden window” and to prepare the best possible measures to present to the public.
He added that the committee will develop so-called “population-sunlight” policies—comprehensive measures to address problems related to marriage, childbirth and aging—and to help revive South Korea amid the challenges of ultra-low fertility and demographic change.
He called for concrete actions to strengthen the effectiveness of population policy: reinforcing policy impact, serving as a control tower to improve interministerial coordination, and pursuing field- and data-driven approaches.
Vice Chair Kim said he will focus not only on raising the total fertility rate but also on ensuring more comprehensive care for children, parents, young people and other vulnerable groups, including seniors.
Reporter Hanbit Lee hblee@viva100.com
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