Kim Hong-gu, Gyeongbuk Provincial Councilor, "2.4 Trillion Won for Elderly Welfare - 20 Billion Won for Youth Budget ... Failing to Solve Low Birthrate"

Special Committee on Regional Extinction Measures Held

"Bold Investment in Youth Needed"

The Special Committee on Local Extinction Countermeasures of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (Chairman Kim Chang-gi) listened to a report on overcoming low birth rates, a key issue for 2024, from the department related to local extinction during the 345th extraordinary session on the 12th, and held a Q&A and discussion.

At this meeting, the members of the Local Extinction Special Committee sought solutions suitable for regional conditions together with the executive officials to overcome the low birth rate issue from a mid- to long-term perspective.

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Council's Special Committee on Local Extinction Countermeasures is in session.

Im Byung-ha, member of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Local Extinction Special Committee (People Power Party, Yeongju), stated, “South Korea’s total fertility rate was 0.65 in the fourth quarter of 2023, indicating a very serious low birth rate problem. Currently, Gyeongbuk Province is focusing on gender equality policies and economic support policies as measures to solve the low birth rate issue. We urge the identification of the fundamental causes of the problem and the preparation of alternatives.”

Hwang Doo-young (People Power Party, Gumi) said, “The cause of low birth rates is that the younger generation believes their quality of life will decline if they marry and have children. A workplace atmosphere that encourages marriage and childbirth must be created, and incentives for childbirth should be provided to create an environment where young people can enjoy a good quality of life.”

Kim Hong-gu (People Power Party, Sangju) pointed out, “While the elderly welfare budget reaches about 2.4 trillion won, the budget for youth-related policies, which should be the main agents in solving the low birth rate problem, is only about 20 billion won. More budget and active support for youth policies are needed, and alternatives must be prepared.”

Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Member Kim Hong-gu.

Kim Kyung-sook (Democratic Party, proportional representation) noted, “The cause of the low birth rate problem is that an environment where children can be raised properly is not adequately established.” She emphasized “the necessity of establishing flexible working hours such as the ‘elementary school moms’ 10 a.m. start time” and added, “Among foreigner settlement support policies, region-specific visas and housing support policies are focused on small and medium-sized cities. There is a need to develop and support policies that enable foreigners to settle in rural fishing and farming areas.”

Kim Chang-gi, chairman of the Local Extinction Special Committee (People Power Party, Mungyeong), stressed, “Bold investment in policies for youth must come first to solve the local extinction problem.” He urged, “We ask for active efforts to provide quality jobs so that young people can settle in the province, supply affordable rental housing, and vigorously promote groundbreaking childbirth policies to create a Gyeongbuk where people can have children and live well, ensuring victory in the war against low birth rates.”

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