[Yeouido Interview] "Guaranteed Parental Leave Pay for Men and Women"... Kim Young-sun’s Solution to Low Birthrate

Interview with Kim Young-sun, Chair of the National Assembly Population Special Committee
Reducing Women's Childcare Burden to Increase Birth Rate
"Analyzing Global Legislative Cases to Demand Administrative Action"

"As the number of working women increases, systems that allow both women and their spouses to balance work with childbirth and childcare are increasingly necessary. When companies support childbirth and childcare, the government should guarantee 50-70% of the wages of the employees receiving these benefits."

Kim Young-sun, Chairperson of the National Assembly Special Committee on Population Crisis (People Power Party), recently proposed this solution in an interview with Asia Economy, stating, "The population crisis is linked to the survival of the nation. A different approach from before is needed."

Chairperson Kim explained, "Children are not born automatically; women must decide to have children. As more women work, the situation must allow women to balance work with childbirth and childcare for them to have children. It is not just fear of childbirth but fear of childcare that discourages childbirth."

She continued, "It is important to continuously support children during the childcare period, but policies so far have been insufficient. Rather than one-time support like childbirth congratulatory money, whether married or not, support should be provided so that parents do not feel the burden of childcare until their children turn 18," she emphasized.

Kim, who first won a seat in the 15th National Assembly and served four consecutive terms until the 18th, lost in the 21st general election but was re-elected in last year's by-election, becoming the longest-serving female lawmaker in the 21st National Assembly. As Chairperson of the Population Special Committee, Kim is dedicated to low birthrate countermeasures. She stressed that the population crisis leads to regional extinction, making it the most important issue. The Population Special Committee, launched in November last year, began full discussions last month.

Below is a Q&A with Chairperson Kim.

- How do you feel about re-entering the National Assembly?

▲ In the past, there were many political disputes. There was little policy discussion. Nowadays, the National Assembly develops many policies and the level is quite high. However, the difference is that lawmakers should negotiate and compromise after having a desirable level of understanding and common sense, but that principle has completely broken down. It seems there are many sharp criticisms, like throwing broken glass at each other. Many policies are 'self-generating,' and while the two parties should acknowledge differences and reach middle ground when opinions differ, they only assert their own legitimacy. I think the National Assembly has regressed in terms of negotiation and compromise. The symptom of denouncing the other side to strengthen one’s own legitimacy is very severe.

Kim Young-sun, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

- You were appointed Chairperson of the National Assembly Population Special Committee at a time when population decline is emerging as an issue. How do you feel?

▲ South Korea’s total fertility rate is 0.78. It is said that by 2060-2070, South Korea may be unable to sustain itself. Reviewing the activities of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, there is much analysis but the root causes are not well understood. The population crisis and regional extinction issues are related to social awareness, culture, and values,

and are directly linked to the survival of the nation. Therefore, a change in awareness and policies based on accurate data analysis must be implemented. We will analyze global legislative cases and demand administrative measures.

- What do you think is the biggest cause of the declining birthrate?

▲ Children are not born automatically. Women must decide to have children. As more women work, the situation must allow women to balance work with childbirth and childcare for them to have children. It is not just fear of childbirth but fear of childcare that causes people not to have children. Therefore, continuous support for children during the childcare period is important, but so far it has been insufficient. Rather than one-time support like childbirth congratulatory money, government support is needed so that parents, whether married or not, do not feel the burden of childcare until their children turn 18. However, from the reports of each ministry and questions from lawmakers in the Population Crisis Special Committee, it seems they are not focusing on the root of the problem. As more women work, systems that allow both women and their spouses to balance work with childbirth and childcare seem more necessary. When companies support childbirth and childcare, the government should guarantee 50-70% of the wages of the employees receiving these benefits. The gap between companies that provide childbirth and childcare leave and those that do not must also be bridged. It would be better to consider prioritizing support for local areas.

Kim Young-sun, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

- Budget issues ultimately require persuading the Ministry of Economy and Finance, right?

▲ For companies that support long-term childcare costs or childbirth and childcare leave for workers, the government must reimburse the budget. The government should now emphasize social values in its budget priorities. It is important to supply budgets appropriately so that working women can give birth and care for children. The government must bridge the gap between large corporations and small and medium enterprises, and between central and local governments. With tax revenue increasing and school-age population decreasing, local education finance grants are overflowing, and I think part of this should be used for childbirth and childcare support.

- What are the specific measures?

▲ In France, where the fertility rate is around 1.6 and relatively high in Europe, family allowances, free childcare, and education are provided equally to all children without discrimination against non-marital births. So first, we must move away from the myth of the nuclear family. In South Korea, the non-marital birth rate is 1.95%, significantly lower than the OECD average of 39.9%. Acceptance of diverse family forms is also low. We must create an environment where children can grow up without discrimination based on parents’ marital status or family type. Also, the government should expand certified family-friendly companies. Support for in-house education should be provided if necessary, and incentives such as significant tax benefits or grants should be given to companies designated as excellent family-friendly companies. Support for treatment of infertile couples should be strengthened, and infertility treatment leave expanded. Lastly, to reduce childcare burdens, I hope public postpartum care centers are implemented nationwide. These would not be centers where mothers stay only for the first year but public postpartum care centers that provide 24/7 childcare support for three years. I also want to study the childcare helper system and propose policy directions.

"To Revitalize Local Areas, 'Reverse Basic Income' Is Needed"

"Rather than Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s 'Basic Income,' regional basic income measures, so-called 'Reverse Basic Income,' are needed."

Kim, whose constituency is Uichang District in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, emphasized this, saying, "Regional basic income measures should be established to support areas with less industrialization and transportation convenience than Seoul."

Seoul’s pilot project for Basic Income is a selective welfare policy that provides cash support at a certain rate for the shortfall when household income falls below a certain amount. A family of four can receive up to 2.17 million KRW per month. Eligibility includes households with median income below 85% and assets under 326 million KRW, and even single-person households can benefit. Reverse Basic Income is a policy that supports region-based companies so that benefits can flow to individuals.

Kim pointed out, "The only region that has seen some effect from Basic Income is Seoul, which has a solid financial base. If people work in local areas but can only receive unemployment support from Seoul, where they might lose their jobs anytime, everyone will leave the local areas. This pushes regional extinction to the brink." He emphasized, "Rather than giving money to individuals, Reverse Basic Income is needed, which provides education expenses or reduces corporate taxes for companies located in the region."

He also said that maintaining specialized technologies through regional allocation is important for local survival. Kim said, "Basic technologies for Korea’s advanced industries should be allocated regionally to maintain regional specialization. Every city tries to do everything, but that results in Seoul being overwhelmingly dominant, followed by Busan and Gyeonggi Province." He added, "Regional division of labor is necessary for each region to survive uniquely. The political sphere must distribute industrial productivity evenly and create regional Reverse Basic Income systems to support lacking areas."

He argued that bold deregulation, such as abolishing district unit plans or converting business areas into commercial zones, is necessary for regional development. Kim said, "Changwon still operates under the paradigm from 50 years ago when the national industrial complex was established. Without bold redevelopment into a new planned city, local residents will all leave." He warned, "If we cling only to the fact that it is a planned city, slumification could occur," and called for deregulation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.