Former Statistics Korea Chief and First Director Lee Insil, Former Prime Minister and Chairman Jeong Unchan
Founder Representative Kim Jonghun: "We Must Establish Nationally Effective Policies"
At the inauguration ceremony of the Korea Future Population Research Institute on the 25th, officials are taking a commemorative photo. From the second person on the right in the front row: Lee In-sil, the inaugural director of the institute (former Commissioner of Statistics Korea), Kim Sun-wook, former president of Ewha Womans University, Kim Jong-hoon, chairman of HanmiGlobal, Kim Jong-ryang, chairman of Hanyang University Board, Kim Hyung-o, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Jung Un-chan, chairman of the Win-Win Growth Research Institute (former Prime Minister), Choi Jung-woo, chairman of POSCO Group, and Gam Kyung-chul, chairman of CTS Christian TV. / Photo by HanmiGlobal
[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] The Korea Future Population Research Institute took its first step toward solving the population decline issue by holding its inauguration ceremony on the 25th at the POSCO Center Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
The institute was launched at the private sector level to overcome the national extinction crisis caused by the recent severe ultra-low birthrate and ultra-aging problems. It plans to predict the future brought by changes in the population structure and propose countermeasures. Former Statistics Korea Commissioner Lee In-sil was appointed as the inaugural director, former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan as chairman, and Kim Jong-hoon, chairman of HanmiGlobal, as the founding representative.
About 60 key figures from the business, academic, and religious sectors attended the inauguration, including Kwon Tae-shin, president of the Korea Economic Research Institute, Choi Jung-woo, chairman of POSCO Group, Kim Jong-ryang, chairman of Hanyang University, and Gam Kyung-chul, chairman of CTS Christian TV. In addition, 81 individuals from various fields were listed as founding members, and 24 organizations and companies registered as partner institutions.
In his opening remarks, founding representative Kim Jong-hoon said, "Last year, South Korea's total fertility rate was 0.81, about one-third of the population replacement level (2.1), and one of the lowest in the world. If this continues, by 2050, Korea will have the highest aging rate in the world."
He added, "Solving the population problem faced by all companies requires enormous budgets and social costs over many years, so effective nationwide policies must be established. The government, political circles, religious sectors, companies, and civic groups?all citizens?must form a consensus and unite their efforts."
Chairman Chung Un-chan expressed concern in his welcoming speech, saying, "The Board of Audit and Inspection analyzes that 70% of our country's basic local governments will face extinction in 30 years, and 93% in 50 years. There are also warnings from global scholars that Korea could become the first country to disappear from the Earth."
He continued, "There is an analysis that the golden time to solve the current population problem is only 5 to 10 years left, so there is no more time to hesitate. The people must take the lead, and companies and religious sectors must join forces."
Director Lee In-sil suggested, "There needs to be reflection and introspection on the government's low birthrate and aging society policies promoted since 2006. Rather than simply observing phenomena and responding superficially by each ministry, it is necessary to remove barriers and discuss from a comprehensive perspective."
She also stated, "Domestic population issues appear in very unique forms, but research considering these characteristics is insufficient. We will open a forum to gather diverse voices from various groups and establish an integrative research foundation." She appealed to businesspeople to participate responsibly in solving the essential population problem as part of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management to create a sustainable society.
At the event, CTS Christian TV, the Federation of Korean Industries, POSCO, and Hanyang University signed agreements with the institute. After the inauguration, a forum was held under the theme "Companies Leading the Way to Population Recovery?Responsibilities and Roles of Private Companies in the Era of Population Decline." Director Lee In-sil chaired the session, with panelists including Yang Won-jun, vice president of POSCO, and Professor Eun Ki-soo of Seoul National University. Various policy ideas will be reflected in the institute's future activities.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
