Ruling and Opposition Parties Jointly Announce 'Low Birthrate Measures'... Election Pledge Competition Begins

Opposition Announces Comprehensive Low Birthrate Measures... "Support by Life Cycle"
Chairman Han Dong-hoon Also Counters with 'No.1 Pledge' Low Birthrate Plan

The People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea have unveiled measures to address the low birthrate issue as part of their 'general election pledges.' With both ruling and opposition parties announcing pledges in the same field on the same day, the competition over election pledges between the two parties appears to have officially begun. Since pledges are promises to the public and clearly show the policy directions of the parties, this marks the start of efforts to win voter support.

On the morning of the 18th, the Democratic Party announced its fourth general election pledge, a 'Comprehensive Low Birthrate Countermeasure,' at the National Assembly. Representative Lee Jae-myung pointed out, "The extinction of the nation is not a distant future event but an urgent task at our doorstep," and said, "The biggest reason why people do not have children is probably because hope for the future has diminished or disappeared." He added, "Our Democratic Party has prepared a groundbreaking policy package covering marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing," emphasizing, "We will actively support work-family balance."

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Comprehensive Measures for Low Birthrate for the Survival of the Republic of Korea held at the National Assembly on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Policy Chairman Lee Gae-ho personally introduced this low birthrate measure, which aims for a 'social structure where marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing can coexist.' In the housing sector, it includes the 'Our Child Embrace Housing'; in the asset sector, the 'Marriage, Childbirth, and Child-rearing Dream Package'; for care issues, the 'State Unlimited Responsibility Guarantee for Childcare Services'; and for work-family balance, measures such as 'Preventing Career Breaks for Women and Strengthening Paternity Leave for Men.'

A Democratic Party official explained, "Our party views the low birthrate crisis as the most important issue in this general election," adding, "This comprehensive measure focuses on tailored support for parents and children throughout their life cycles, and additional policy pledges will be steadily announced."

First, the Our Child Embrace Housing system provides public rental housing with sale conversion, differentiated by housing size according to the number of children. There is also a plan to expand the eligibility for newlywed housing support from the current 7 years to 10 years of marriage. Additionally, considering that young people feel burdened by the high costs associated with marriage and childbirth, a 'support fund system' will be introduced. Regardless of income or assets, all newlyweds will be offered a 100 million KRW loan per household with a 10-year maturity, and in connection with low birthrate measures, the principal and interest will be partially forgiven depending on the number of children born.

In the child-rearing phase, the 'Our Child Care Card' will provide a monthly child allowance of 200,000 KRW per child aged 8 to 17, and the 'Our Child Independence Fund' will deposit 100,000 KRW monthly into a fund account from birth until high school graduation, ensuring a total of 100 million KRW in child-rearing expenses. Notably, when parents apply for parental leave, registration will be automatic, and a system will be pursued to universally guarantee leave and parental leave pay before and after childbirth for all citizens with children, regardless of the parents' employment status.

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is speaking at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The People Power Party also announced its low birthrate measures as its first general election pledge on the afternoon of the same day. It is known that Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon devoted significant effort to policies in the low birthrate field. In his acceptance speech last month, he identified "a sophisticated policy to prepare for the predetermined future of demographic disaster" as the 'top priority.' He is also expected to personally explain the policy on site that day.

A People Power Party official said, "The policy will focus on significantly strengthening parental leave and comprehensively addressing demographic changes and social disparities."

Plans include extending the periods for childbirth and parental leave, greatly expanding early childhood care support for children from infancy to lower elementary school grades, and measures to facilitate the smooth supply of replacement workers when employees of small and medium-sized enterprises take parental leave.

The reason both ruling and opposition parties have made low birthrate countermeasures a core election pledge is that this issue has become a central agenda in our society. It also reflects the parties' intention to emphasize policies for future generations in this general election.