Presidential Office: "Low Birthrate Chief Should Be Someone Who Can Truly Understand the Issue to Provide Help"

New Low Birthrate Chief Likely to Be a Working Mom
Leads Establishment of 'Low Birthrate Response Planning Department'

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering opening remarks at the 25th "Public Discussion on Livelihoods with the People" held on the 14th at the Seoul Employment Welfare Plus Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office explained regarding the appointment of the soon-to-be-established Low Birthrate Chief that "it would be helpful for someone who can truly understand the low birthrate issue to take charge." Accordingly, the possibility of appointing a "working mom" is being discussed.

A Presidential Office official stated on the 14th at the Yongsan Presidential Office, "It would be practical and effective for someone who can better empathize with the low birthrate issue to take on the position, as it will help in implementing substantial and effective measures against the low birthrate."

Earlier, President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed at the Chief Secretary meeting he presided over the previous day to "prepare for the establishment of the Low Birthrate Chief Office." It is also reported that President Yoon requested that the new Low Birthrate Chief be selected from among working moms.

This is interpreted as the idea that understanding the difficulties faced by citizens balancing work and childcare will enable the formulation of effective measures to solve the low birthrate problem.

In this context, it is reported that President Yoon shared with his aides an anecdote about his mother, former Ewha Womans University professor Choi Seong-ja, who had to quit her professorship due to the challenges of childcare.

However, a Presidential Office official explained, "We understand that there is no specific individual currently targeted for the appointment."

Since the Low Birthrate Chief will also lead the establishment of the Low Birthrate Response Planning Department, the appointment is expected to be finalized within this month.

At a press conference marking his second anniversary in office on the 9th, President Yoon announced plans to elevate the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee to an official ministry called the Low Birthrate Response Planning Department, and to have the minister of this department serve as the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs.