'Expert Meeting on Enhancing Response Capacity to Population Structure Changes' Held
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Kim Yong-beom, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, emphasized the need to solve the 'gray rhinoceros' population issue through measures such as increasing the productivity of women and the elderly by gathering population policy experts. The term "gray rhinoceros" refers to a significant risk that is foreseeable but often overlooked.
On the 20th, Vice Minister Kim held a "Population Policy Experts Meeting" at the Government Seoul Office to discuss these matters.
The day before, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced in this year's work plan that the 3rd Population Policy Task Force (TF) would be launched promptly. Today's meeting is the first meeting held ahead of the 3rd TF's promotion.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Kang Dong-su, Deputy Director of Research at KDI, Professor Lee Cheol-hee of Seoul National University, Professor Lee Sam-sik of Hanyang University, Professor Ma Gang-rae of Chung-Ang University, Senior Researcher Ahn Jong-seok of the Korea Institute of Public Finance, and Director Kim Eun-ji of the Women's Policy Research Institute, among others.
Last year, South Korea experienced a "dead cross" for the first time in history, where the number of registered births was 275,815, fewer than the registered deaths of 307,764. Additionally, the population of the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas reversed for the first time. This represents the worst trend with weakening growth momentum and deepening polarization. Consequently, the government's response must inevitably become more stringent.
Vice Minister Kim diagnosed, "Starting this year, the three major population risks?population decline, regional extinction, and the imminent ultra-aged society?will become full-fledged. In addition, COVID-19 has acted as a factor that exacerbates population risks through care gaps, disruptions in the domestic introduction of foreign labor, and the expansion of irregular employment."
The purpose of the 3rd TF is to enhance our society's capacity to respond to the three major population risks. It identifies urgent tasks that need solutions within a few months, tasks that must be resolved even if they take years, and tasks that were postponed due to social disagreements or discomfort. Priorities are set, and the scope of discussion and resolution order for each task are established.
Specifically, measures include ▲expanding economic participation and productivity of women and the elderly ▲improving university competitiveness in response to the decline in school-age population ▲preparing measures to secure regional competitiveness ▲responding to elderly health and care and supporting diverse family types.
Vice Minister Kim said, "Today's meeting was organized to hear experts' opinions on whether there are important tasks the government is missing and what issues must be addressed now," adding, "I hope today's discussion will serve as an opportunity for our society to face the imminent 'gray rhinoceros' of demographic change and prepare accordingly."
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