Presiding over the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting at Chungnam Provincial Government Office
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting held at Chungnam Provincial Office on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 25th, "Keep in mind that opening a true era of local governance is the way to overcome low birth rates, and actively promote bold delegation of authority and financial support to local governments."
On the same day, President Yoon chaired the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting at the Chungnam Provincial Office in Hongseong County, Chungcheongnam-do, saying, "For local governments nationwide to respond to the low birthrate issue according to their regional circumstances, more authority and resources will be necessary."
President Yoon had promised during the 2nd Central-Local Cooperation Meeting in October 2022 to hold meetings while touring various regions. This meeting was held in Chungcheongnam-do following Ulsan, Jeollabuk-do, Busan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Seoul.
In his opening remarks, President Yoon mentioned the extensive damage caused nationwide by repeated heavy rains over the past two weeks and expressed gratitude to local government heads who stayed on-site and worked hard. He said, "I have ordered additional special disaster area declarations and active support measures to ensure swift recovery," adding, "Since typhoons may come and the situation remains uncertain, please make thorough preparations in advance."
He also noted, "The Neulbom School and medical reform discussed at the 6th meeting in February have made considerable progress," explaining, "Neulbom School has involved all first graders in elementary schools who wish to participate since the first semester of this year, with over 80% of parents expressing satisfaction." President Yoon added, "From the second semester, it will expand to all elementary schools nationwide, and I ask the Ministry of Education and local governments to prepare more substantial programs."
Regarding medical reform, President Yoon mentioned that the increase in medical school admissions has been completed and the full-scale university entrance procedures are underway. He promised, "Going forward, the government will steadfastly pursue reform tasks centered on the Presidential Commission on Medical Reform."
Yoon: "Rapid Population Decline Threatens Sustainable Future"
President Yoon pointed out, "Among the agenda items discussed today, the population issue is the greatest challenge facing South Korea," adding, "Rapid population decline will cause significant shocks not only to the economy and security but also to society as a whole, threatening a sustainable future." In response, the government declared a 'National Population Emergency' on June 19 and established a nationwide all-out response system, while local governments are also making various efforts tailored to their regions, introducing policy cases from Gwangju and Gyeongbuk.
President Yoon emphasized the need for proactive responses despite the immediate shortage of working-age people as the country enters a super-aged society with low birthrates. He stated, "Referring to severe labor shortages in local industrial sites and rural fishing villages, we must create conditions where foreigners and international students who come to Korea with the Korean Dream can settle as members of our community and engage in healthy economic activities."
He added, "Addressing low birthrates and foreign labor issues is a critical matter that requires full cooperation between central and local governments," urging, "I hope provincial governors and cabinet members will find good solutions through active communication and collaboration."
At the subsequent meeting, Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and co-chair of the working-level council, reported on the progress of discussions. Following this, reports and comprehensive discussions were held on agenda items including improvements to the local finance investment review system, central-local cooperation measures to address low birthrates, and proposals for introducing region-tailored foreigner policies. Local government heads shared best practices by region, conveyed on-site opinions, and proposed improvements to the government.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a speech at the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting held at Chungnam Provincial Office on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
As passionate discussions on low birthrate measures and other topics unfolded, the meeting lasted nearly three hours, over an hour longer than scheduled.
Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungnam Province, suggested, "A slogan that states 'If you have a child, you are responsible until they become an adult' should be introduced," adding, "In April, Chungnam announced a full-care policy focused on childcare rather than cash benefits and established a 24-hour complete care system. Cash support policies need to be unified and presented nationwide through integration by the central government."
In response, President Yoon immediately instructed on-site, "Review all policies implemented and proposed by local government heads without omission." He also ordered an investigation, saying, "Fundamental efforts are needed by both central and local governments to restore the importance of family. It is also necessary to study how population structures such as low birthrates have changed with changes in housing conditions like apartments," according to a written briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Jeong Hye-jeon.
Joo Hyung-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, requested, "I hope local governments will continue to propose creative policy alternatives," and asked for support in areas that can create synergy with central government policies such as parental leave benefits, as well as support for blind spots like gap childcare and expansion of win-win workplace daycare centers.
Discussions on proposals for introducing foreigner policies also continued. Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan, pointed out, "Foreigner policies are divided among ministries, making systematic policy implementation difficult," and suggested, "There is a need to establish a dedicated ministry overseeing foreigner policy affairs."
Kim Young-hwan, Governor of Chungbuk Province, emphasized, "Region-tailored foreigner policies are urgent to address local population decline and labor shortages," requesting the introduction of region-specific specialized visas and relaxation of employment regulations to attract and settle foreign students.
Yoon: "Foreigner Policies Also Need Progressive Review"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen conversing with attendees including Kim Young-hwan, Governor of Chungbuk Province, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, and Woo Dong-gi, Chairman of the Local Era Committee, after a commemorative photo session following the 7th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting held at Chungnam Provincial Office on the 25th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
After the discussions, President Yoon said, "Measures to consolidate various low birthrate-related subsidies, including this issue, are needed to increase the perceived impact," and during the discussion, he instructed that local government heads and vice governors actively working on the ground attend meetings of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee.
President Yoon added, "Foreigner policies also need to be reviewed progressively," urging, "Do not omit any of the proposals made today; review them thoroughly, and if amendments to enforcement ordinances or regulations are necessary, proceed swiftly."
When Lee Jang-woo, Mayor of Daejeon, mentioned, "Sometimes various proposals get blocked by central government officials," President Yoon responded, "If something is not going well, immediately report who said no and inform the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs."
The meeting was attended by key ministers and vice ministers from major ministries, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Chairman of the Local Era Committee Woo Dong-gi, and Vice Chairman of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee Joo Hyung-hwan. Local governments were represented by provincial governors, the chairperson of the Council of Governors, and the chairpersons of the Council of Mayors, County Governors, and District Heads. From the Presidential Office, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Cheol-ho and Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Jang Sang-yoon participated.
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