Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, stated, "The fate of the nation depends on how we solve the ultra-low birthrate problem," and instructed, "Devise measures so that all policies can respond to the ultra-low birthrate issue."
At the Gyeongbuk provincial executive meeting held on the 9th, Governor Lee said, "The current situation can only be described as a 'declaration of war against ultra-low birthrate,' a national crisis that is difficult to express in better terms," and added, "To solve the low birthrate problem, every department should come up with detailed measures by team."
Governor Lee Cheol-woo of Gyeongbuk is announcing at the executive meeting that he will declare a 'war on ultra-low birthrate.'
He continued, "On January 18th, during the work report, we will hold an all-day intensive debate," and said, "First, all offices and bureaus should gather sufficient opinions through discussions with experts to prepare countermeasures." He also emphasized, "For the time being, we must invite related experts to special lectures on chemical engineering and frequently invite experts to listen to their opinions, as well as establish a dedicated expert committee."
Governor Lee also ordered, "We must create a perfect system on how to have and raise many children in Gyeongsangbuk-do and come up with measures that can lead South Korea."
He stressed, "To solve the low birthrate problem, we must find every possible way, including social and mental campaigns," and added, "We must respond comprehensively in all areas, such as revitalizing private investment and securing budgets from central government ministries together with cities and counties." He further noted, "The problem is the 'Capital Concentration Syndrome,' so first, let's prepare measures starting with what we can do to disperse the population concentrated in the metropolitan area."
According to Statistics Korea data, South Korea's total fertility rate was 5.95 in 1960. Since then, the total fertility rate gradually decreased to 4.53 (1,006,645 births) in 1970, 2.82 (862,835 births) in 1980, and 1.57 (649,738 births) in 1990. In 2000, the total fertility rate dropped to 1.48, with 640,089 births, and by 2010 it was 1.23 (470,171 births), reaching 0.84 (272,337 births) in 2020.
Governor Lee mentioned, "In 1984, the total fertility rate fell to 1.74, and the number of births dropped below 700,000, breaking the 2.1 total fertility rate threshold in South Korea. At that time, the crisis should have been recognized, and policies to overcome low birthrate should have been prepared and implemented, but the response was delayed. As of 2022, South Korea has become the only OECD country with a total fertility rate below 1 (0.78), a situation that worries the world."
He said, "From now on, we will establish ultra-short-term, short-term, mid-term, and ultra-long-term measures step by step and find a new way out of the ultra-low birthrate problem in Gyeongsangbuk-do to create a new nation."
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