When It Comes to the Low Birthrate Issue, Both Parties Stoke the Fire... But Agreement Is 'Questionable'

Democratic Party to Hold Press Conference on 'Birth Basic Income 3 Bills'
Consensus Between Ruling and Opposition Parties, but Time Needed for Realization

The political sphere has begun to seriously address the low birthrate issue, which was pledged as a campaign promise in the 22nd general election. However, as the ruling and opposition parties continue their extreme confrontation, it is expected that it will take time to reach an agreement.

On the 17th, the Democratic Party of Korea held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, regarding the 'Basic Birth Income Three Acts (Child Allowance Act, Child Welfare Act, and Restriction of Special Taxation Act)'. Representative Park Sung-jun of the Democratic Party proposed an amendment to the Child Allowance Act to increase the monthly child allowance from 100,000 won for children under 8 years old to 500,000 won until the age of 18. Representative Kang Seon-woo of the Democratic Party introduced an amendment to the Child Welfare Act to enable asset formation support projects for all children, not just vulnerable groups.

The People Power Party also began preparing measures to address the low birthrate issue with the opening of the 22nd National Assembly. The People Power Party plans to promote legislation to establish a department related to low birthrate issues as the first party bill of the 22nd National Assembly. The People Power Party and the Presidential Office presented specific measures at a high-level party-government meeting held yesterday at the Prime Minister’s residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The party and government agreed to prepare measures including expanding support for flexible work incentives, extending paternity leave, and developing various flexible work models. Jang Dong-hyuk, the chief floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "The government side also said they would prepare measures as soon as possible based on the discussions."

Earlier, both ruling and opposition parties competed to present solutions to the low birthrate issue during the general election. Common promises included mandatory automatic commencement of parental leave and increasing the child tax credit amount for income tax. The People Power Party proposed the establishment of 'childcare leave' that parents can use when their child is sick and mandatory parental paternity leave, while the Democratic Party proposed policies such as 'providing childcare services to all households' and the 'Our Child Independence Fund,' engaging in policy competition.

Consensus on low birthrate measures was also confirmed. In April, President Yoon Suk-yeol and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung shared the recognition of the need for a population-related ministry during a summit meeting. On the 9th of last month, when President Yoon announced at his second anniversary press conference that the existing Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy would be elevated to a vice-premier level Low Birthrate Response Planning Department, Leader Lee also expressed willingness to cooperate. On the 3rd, at the Supreme Council meeting, Leader Lee suggested establishing a ruling-opposition-government consultative body to prepare low birthrate measures, stating, "If there is a national task, the ruling and opposition parties and the government must join forces."

However, as the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties continues, it is expected to take time before practical consultations on low birthrate measures can be held. The Democratic Party held a full meeting of the Health and Welfare Committee on the 13th, but People Power Party members did not attend. The People Power Party is discussing measures through a separate special committee.