Yoon: "Establishing a Full-Scale Response System to Address Low Birthrate in National Emergency"

Presiding Over Cabinet Meeting at Yongsan Presidential Office
Requests Parliamentary Cooperation for Establishment of Population Strategy Planning Department

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 2nd at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 2nd, "The low birthrate and aging population issue has reached a national emergency that requires urgent attention," adding, "To resolve the national emergency of the low birthrate problem, we must establish a full-scale response system as soon as possible." Having announced amendments to the Government Organization Act and the Framework Act on Low Birthrate and Aging Society the previous day to establish the Population Strategy Planning Department as the control tower for addressing low birthrate and aging issues, he urged the National Assembly for active cooperation to ensure prompt legislative amendments.

On the same day, President Yoon presided over a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office and said, "If we push forward low birthrate policies more strongly and all citizens unite their efforts, overcoming the low birthrate is not an impossible task, and we can see hope in that."

Referring to the nearly 25% increase in the number of marriages in April compared to the same period last year and the reversal of the declining trend in the number of births over the past 18 months, President Yoon called it "the most welcome news of all," emphasizing, "The idea that the family is the source of happiness must be widely shared, and a culture where childbirth is celebrated not only by relatives and family but also by the nation and society must spread." At the Cabinet meeting, a commendation plan for contributors who have greatly helped overcome the low birthrate was reviewed in anticipation of the upcoming 'Population Day' on the 11th.

On the Lithium Battery Factory Fire: "Scientific Safety Measures Must Be Established"

On this day, President Yoon first expressed condolences to the victims of the traffic accident in front of City Hall the previous day and the fire at the lithium battery factory in Hwaseong City, offering his sympathies to the bereaved families. He pointed out, "As new industries in various fields rapidly grow, the risk factors at the sites have changed significantly compared to the past, but our firefighting technology and safety awareness have yet to catch up," and stressed, "This accident should serve as an opportunity to thoroughly investigate the fire types and causes in these advanced new industries and establish more scientific safety measures." He explained that industries using various chemicals, such as the battery industry, require thorough preparation as conventional methods are insufficient for firefighting.

President Yoon said, "Industrial safety cannot be maintained by regulation and punishment alone," adding, "We must not only develop firefighting technologies suited to the characteristics of chemical substances but also develop and disseminate scientific technologies that detect and prevent risks in advance, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and sensor technologies, to protect the lives and safety of the people."

He instructed related ministries such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and Ministry of Science and ICT to strengthen collaboration, have the Ministry of the Interior and Safety take the lead in thoroughly reviewing battery safety management from the ground up, and establish fundamental countermeasures.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 2nd at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also commented on the completion of the first half organization of the 22nd National Assembly last week, urging the government and the National Assembly to work together to solve the national challenges scattered both domestically and internationally. He emphasized, "Social polarization and conflicts between classes and generations have emerged as serious issues threatening the sustainable future of the Republic of Korea," and added, "We must concentrate all the capabilities of our society to overcome these challenges." Having announced the plan to establish a Minister of Political Affairs to serve as a bridge between the National Assembly and the government the previous day, he also requested active cooperation from the National Assembly for communication aimed at improving people’s livelihoods.

He continued, "The essence of politics is to narrow differences of opinion through dialogue and consensus while respecting the opinions of others and to make decisions based on this," warning, "If politics of conflict and confrontation repeat, we cannot overcome the challenges before us nor move toward the future." President Yoon added, "If rational dialogue and compromise disappear, all difficulties and suffering will fall upon the people," and expressed his hope that "this National Assembly will focus solely on the people and wisely resolve livelihood issues."