Seoul City Council Member: "Healthier Uterus Makes Pregnancy Easier"
"Is This a Low Birthrate Policy?... So Low-Level," Netizens Criticize
It was recently revealed that Seoul City Council member Kim Yong-ho, who promoted the so-called 'Jjoigo Dance' campaign that sparked controversy as a low birthrate measure, received an award from the Minister of Health and Welfare.
Kim Yong-ho, Seoul City Council member (People Power Party, Yongsan 1), is dancing with citizens in a dance-jo (dance + gymnastics) at the "Seoul Citizen Health Birth Promotion National Dance-Jo Festival," which held its first event on May 24th at Deoksugung Stone Wall Road in Jung-gu. [Photo by Councilor Kim Yong-ho]
On the 13th, at the 2024 Wellness Awards, Council member Kim received the Minister of Health and Welfare Award for his contributions, including hosting a policy forum to promote citizen health improvement through barefoot walking and the National Danjo (Dance + Gymnastics). Kim expressed his acceptance speech by saying, "I was simply quietly doing what needed to be done with an interest in promoting citizens' health."
Previously, Council member Kim proposed the 'Kegel exercise,' which strengthens pelvic muscles by tightening the sphincter, as a measure to address the low birthrate. At the 'Euratcha Birth Encouragement National Danjo Seoul City Campaign' event in March, Kim claimed, "When the uterus is healthy, the body is healthy, and the mind is healthy, it can be the best condition for childbirth." He also added, "It becomes easier to conceive after marriage when having a baby." Kim also introduced this exercise and requested a demonstration during the Seoul City Council plenary session on November 20 last year.
Seoul City's Citizen Health Birth Promotion National Dance Banner [Image source=Online Community Archive]
However, at the time, criticism arose in political circles and online, labeling it as an outdated low birthrate measure. Earlier, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized in June, saying, "Recently, a Seoul City Council member from the People Power Party suggested a 'Jjoigo Dance' campaign as a low birthrate measure. How can someone say such a thing?" He also strongly criticized the policy supporting vasectomy reversal surgery among the measures from Seoul City, saying it was hard to accept.
The news of the ministerial award also drew negative reactions from netizens. They responded with comments such as "It can't keep up with the times," "Isn't this a bit much? It's lowbrow," "It's absurd," "Did this campaign even increase the birthrate? What did he do to deserve an award?" and "It just makes me sigh."
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