보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Reversing the Decline in Birth Rates

Begins with Shifting Social Perceptions

 

- The 2nd Korea-Japan-China Population Forum of 2024 Held -

Exploring Cases and Policy Directions to Shift Social Awareness on Low Birth Rates -

 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Cho KyooHong) and the Korea Human Resource Development Institute for Health and Welfare (President Bae GeumJoo) hosted the 2024 2nd Korea-Japan-China Population Forum on Friday, November 29, at 2 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun (Jung-gu, Seoul), under the theme "Key Cases and Policy Directions for Changing Social Awareness Related to Low Fertility Rate."

 

* The 1st Korea-Japan-China Population Forum, held on September 3, 2024, focused on "Searching for Implications of Low Birth Policy Based on Social Awareness Among Those in Their 20s and 30s."

 

This forum examined significant cases from various sectors across Korea, Japan, and China that have contributed to shifting social perceptions and fostering a cultural environment to reverse the declining birth rate trend. It also featured discussions on policy directions for improvement. The forum was live-streamed online through the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Division of Population Policy Coordination YouTube channel*, allowing anyone interested in low birth rate policies to participate.

 

* URL: www.youtube.com/@babybirth_mohw

Best Practices in Promoting Work-Life Balance in the Corporate Sector were presented by Yun TaeYeol, CEO of Namkyung Engineering, a certified Family-Friendly Company; Park KiHyun, Head of the EduTech Division at Tekville Education, recognized for its workplace innovation; and Fumihiko Kobayashi, Vice President of Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation, renowned for its work culture reforms. Additionally, Xuying Zhang, Senior Researcher at the China Population and Development Research Center (CPDRC), shared examples of outstanding Chinese companies promoting work-life balance.

 

In the Transforming Perceptions in the Religious Sector session, Yun DaeYong, Manager at the United Christian Churches of Korea, introduced educational initiatives conducted within the Korean Christian community to change perceptions about low birth rates, while Choi Hyeon, Team Leader at the Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare, discussed its matchmaking temple stay program. In addition, Bae Young, Head of the Seoul branch of the 100 Fathers Group, presented examples of fostering a culture of active fatherhood in local communities.

 

The forum concluded with a comprehensive discussion moderated by Lee InSil, President of the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future. Panelists included Choi SeulGi, Standing Commissioner of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy; Ryu JinHan, Professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Keimyung University; Choi Hyeon, Team Leader at the Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare; along with presenters from the economic sectors of Japan and China. The session focused on policy improvement directions and the role of private sectors in fostering family-friendly cultures and driving social awareness changes.

 

Eun SungHo, Deputy Minister for Population and Social Services Policy at MOHW, expressed gratitude to various sectors, including businesses and religious organizations, for their efforts to reverse the low birth rate trend. He said, “The government will continue to reference best practices from Korea, Japan, and China and collaborate with all sectors of society to promote positive perceptions of marriage and parenting while fostering a culture of work-life balance.” ///