[Opinion] No Party Difference as the Population Clock Stops

Earlier this year, Asia Economy launched an annual series titled “K Population Strategy ? Gender Equality Is the Answer.” It received considerable attention.

At the time, Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, inquired about the background of the project and the procedures for analyzing the Gender Equality Index, instructing the relevant department to thoroughly read the articles and conduct joint campaigns. Lee Bok-sil, former Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Family (Chairperson of Lotte Card ESG Committee), also commented, “The key to solving population issues can be found where gender equality is well established,” adding, “The series effectively highlights benchmark points by covering exemplary companies that balance work and family life.” Above all, the interest shown by Kim Sang-hee, a Democratic Party lawmaker and former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, was welcomed. Kim also served as Vice Chair of the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee. She carefully read articles such as ‘Male Ministers Should Take Parental Leave First’ and ‘Parental Leave in Lawmakers’ Offices Is a Story from Another Country,’ and even suggested a meal meeting to hear directly from the reporters.

The feedback from the evaluated companies and financial institutions is too numerous to list. This is not to boast, but because low fertility is an urgent issue, and it is deeply felt by everyone. It is encouraging that ears are perked up from the minister in charge to opposition lawmakers. This symbolically shows that there is no partisan divide in responding to low fertility.

Before the April 10 general election, both ruling and opposition parties proposed numerous low fertility measures. The People Power Party focused on institutionalizing work-family balance policies such as parental leave and flexible work, while the Democratic Party emphasized cash and housing support, including childcare and housing subsidies. Both parties agreed on establishing a dedicated ministry (People Power Party proposed a Population Department, Democratic Party proposed a Population Crisis Response Department).

Now is the time for action. First, let’s expedite the establishment of the agreed-upon dedicated ministry. The Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee, which currently serves as a deliberative body, should be expanded and transformed into an executive agency with budgetary authority, and its head should be elevated to deputy prime minister level. Since this idea has been raised, steps should be taken. It is expected that opposition will arise citing overlapping duties with other ministries and conflicts due to concentrated authority. It is also expected that decades of hesitation will be repeated. That must not happen. A firm commitment must be declared. In 2016, the Japanese government made a bold move by creating a special ministerial post called the “Minister in charge of the 100 Million Total Activity,” effectively imprinting the government’s determination on the public.

Policy implementation is paramount. Urgent legislative amendments cannot be delayed any longer. For example, a bill to extend parental leave from one year to one and a half years (Partial Amendment to the Act on Gender Equality in Employment and Work-Family Balance Support) was proposed in February last year but has yet to pass the National Assembly. Policies such as parental leave and work-family balance are core strategies to address low fertility. If this bill, which has been sidelined for over a year, does not pass the plenary session by the end of the 21st National Assembly’s term on the 29th, it will be automatically discarded.

Last month, our publication released an updated Gender Equality Index article using the latest data. The response was again overwhelming. Particularly encouraging was the reaction from KB Insurance, which received a low score: “We read the article carefully. We want to know how to improve to receive a better score next year.”

Companies are open-minded like this. Let us not engage in politics that hinder progress instead of actively supporting it. There can be no partisan divide in stopping the relentless ticking of the population extinction clock. Even moving in unison, time is tight. We hope all parties quickly come together to devise a future-oriented K Population Strategy.