Yoon: "Opening the Local Era to Overcome Low Birthrate... Bold Decentralization and Financial Support"

Presiding over the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting at Chungnam Provincial Government Office

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting held at Chungnam Provincial Office on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 25th, "Keep in mind that opening a true era of local autonomy is the way to overcome low birth rates, and actively promote bold delegation of authority and financial support to local governments."

On the same day, President Yoon presided over the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting at the Chungnam Provincial Office located in Hongseong County, Chungcheongnam-do, saying, "For local governments nationwide to respond to the low birthrate issue according to their regional circumstances, more authority and resources will be necessary."

President Yoon had promised during the 2nd Central-Local Cooperation Meeting in October 2022 to hold meetings while touring various regions. This meeting was held in Chungcheongnam-do following Ulsan, Jeollabuk-do, Busan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Seoul.

In his opening remarks, President Yoon mentioned the extensive damage caused nationwide by repeated heavy rains over the past two weeks and expressed gratitude to local government heads who stayed on-site and worked hard. He said, "I have instructed active support measures, including the declaration of additional special disaster areas, to ensure swift recovery," and urged, "Since typhoons may come and the situation remains uncertain, please make thorough preparations in advance."

He also noted, "There has been considerable progress in the Neulbom School and medical reform discussed at the 6th meeting in February," explaining, "Neulbom School has involved all first graders in elementary schools who wished to participate since the first semester of this year, with over 80% of parents expressing satisfaction." President Yoon added, "From the second semester, it is planned to expand to all elementary schools nationwide, and I ask the Ministry of Education and local governments to prepare more substantial programs."

Regarding medical reform, President Yoon mentioned that the increase in medical school admissions has been completed and the full-scale university entrance procedures are underway. He promised, "Going forward, the government will steadfastly pursue reform tasks centered on the Presidential Medical Reform Special Committee."

President Yoon emphasized, "Among the agenda items discussed today, the population issue is the greatest challenge facing the Republic of Korea," pointing out, "Rapid population decline will bring significant shocks not only to the economy and security but also to society as a whole, threatening a sustainable future." In response, the government declared a 'National Population Emergency' on June 19 and established a nationwide all-out response system, while local governments are also making various efforts tailored to their regions, introducing policy cases from Gwangju and Gyeongbuk.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is presiding over the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting at the Chungnam Provincial Office on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, President Yoon stressed the need for proactive responses despite the immediate shortage of working-age people as the country enters a super-aged society with low birth rates. He said, "Mentioning the severe labor shortages in local industrial sites and rural fishing villages, we must create conditions where foreigners and international students who come to Korea with the Korean Dream can settle as members of our community and engage in healthy economic activities."

President Yoon stated, "Addressing low birth rates and foreign labor issues are critical matters that require full cooperation between central and local governments," and urged, "I hope all provincial governors and Cabinet members will find good solutions through active communication and cooperation."

At the subsequent meeting, Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and co-chair of the working-level council, reported on the progress of the council's discussions. Following this, reports and comprehensive discussions were held on agenda items including improvements to the local finance investment review system, central-local cooperation measures to address low birth rates, and proposals for introducing region-specific foreigner policies. Local government heads introduced exemplary cases from their regions during the discussions, conveyed on-site opinions, and proposed improvements to the government.

The meeting was attended by key ministers and vice ministers from major government departments, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, as well as Woo Dong-gi, Chairman of the Local Era Committee, and Joo Hyung-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee. From local governments, provincial governors, the chairman of the Provincial Governors Association, and the chairman of the Mayors, County Governors, and District Heads Association participated. From the Presidential Office, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Cheol-ho and Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Jang Sang-yoon were also present.

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