Yoon Chairs 4th Population Emergency Meeting
Providing Tangible Incentives to Companies
Need to Shift Perception from 'Parental Leave' to 'Parental Engagement'
Population Strategy Planning Department Completes Consultations with Opposition Party
President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding as he begins the 4th Emergency Population Countermeasure Meeting on the 25th at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, themed "Sharing Achievements of Companies Excelling in Work-Family Balance." [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 25th, "Childbirth and childcare must be happy experiences in order to overcome the current population crisis," adding, "The role of companies is more important than anything else." He also mentioned that measures such as tax benefits and deferral of national tax audits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) supporting work-family balance are being considered.
President Yoon announced this plan while presiding over the 4th Population Emergency Countermeasure Meeting at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, in the afternoon. The meeting, held under the theme of "Sharing the Achievements of Companies Excelling in Work-Family Balance," was organized to discuss public-private cooperation measures to overcome the population crisis.
Tangible Incentives for Companies Supporting Work-Family Balance
President Yoon expressed gratitude for the efforts of companies supporting work-family balance, stating, "Support for work-family balance by companies is not merely an expense but an investment that enhances corporate competitiveness and leads to greater growth," and added, "The government will do its best to support this."
To this end, President Yoon explained that incentives that companies can feel, such as policy fund support and preferential treatment in bidding projects, will be prepared. In particular, tax benefits for excellent SMEs leading work-family balance and measures such as deferral of national tax audits will be considered.
President Yoon said, "The number of births in the second quarter increased compared to the same period last year for the first time in eight years since 2015, and the number of marriages also increased for two consecutive quarters, recording the second-highest growth rate on a quarterly basis," adding, "Since we have barely rekindled the spark of fertility rate rebound, the public and private sectors must join forces to create a definite momentum for reversal."
He continued, "Changing the work environment and culture so that young people can work hard and happily balance childcare is the top priority," emphasizing, "For this, the role of companies is crucial, and good results can be achieved only if corporate awareness changes."
President Yoon stated, "Overcoming the population crisis is a task that requires the whole society to work together to improve awareness and structure," and expressed expectations that the 'Low Birthrate Overcoming Promotion Headquarters,' formed by the economic, financial, academic, broadcasting, and religious sectors, will serve as a focal point to change overall social awareness.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 4th Emergency Population Countermeasures Meeting held on the 25th at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, under the theme of 'Sharing Achievements of Excellent Companies in Work-Family Balance.' [Image source=Yonhap News]
More Than 'Alone,' a 'Loving Family'... "Please Support Broadcasting"
In his closing remarks, President Yoon said that shifting the perception and concept of the existing 'parental leave' to 'childcare immersion' seems like a good idea. He emphasized, "(Childcare) is not about playing or resting but is an act with social value more important than anything else," adding, "We need to change perceptions in this way."
He also said, "We must properly recognize that the family is the most basic starting point of social humans," and added, "If that happens, the low birthrate problem can be well resolved." He further noted, "The most important thing is balanced regional development."
President Yoon also stressed the role of broadcasting. He said, "Living alone is often portrayed as very convenient and fortunate, but a society where loving families thrive is the starting point of a good society, and this should be portrayed in media such as movies and dramas." He then asked Park Min, president of KBS, who attended the meeting, to "play a significant role."
This was the third time President Yoon presided over this meeting, following March last year and June this year. The Presidential Office stated, "It is the first time since President Park Geun-hye in 2015 that the president directly presides over the meeting more than twice a year."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is attending the 4th Emergency Population Countermeasure Meeting held on the 25th at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, themed "Sharing Achievements of Excellent Companies in Work-Family Balance," greeting Kim Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party, and Representative Kim Jung-jae, among others. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Population Strategy Planning Department Completes Consultation with Opposition... Passage Within Regular National Assembly Session
President Yoon declared a 'population emergency' on June 19 and is also promoting the establishment of a Population Strategy Planning Department to oversee population policies. The Office for Government Policy Coordination has set up and started operating a task force for establishing the Population Strategy Planning Department under the Prime Minister's office.
Regarding this, Kim Sang-hoon, Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said at the meeting, "The president emphasized the need to establish the Population Strategy Planning Department for efficient formulation and execution of population policies," adding, "We have smoothly concluded consultations on the conditions set by the opposition party. Since coordination with the head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination and the government side was completed today, we will ensure the law passes within this regular National Assembly session."
Regarding the 'Work-Family Balance Three Acts,' Chairman Kim explained, "There are clearly differences in opinions between the ruling and opposition parties, but we have been consulting smoothly so far," and added, "From a magnanimous perspective, to give hope to young couples balancing work and family, we decided to agree on processing it at the plenary session on the 26th."
This bill includes expanding maternity leave for pregnant women from 10 days to 20 days, extending the target childcare age related to reduced working hours from 8 to 12 years old, and increasing the childcare leave period for dual-income couples from 1 year each to 1.5 years each, totaling 3 years combined.
About 150 people attended the meeting, including business owners and workers from SMEs, mid-sized companies, and large corporations, as well as representatives from economic and financial organizations and private members of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee.
From the government and the Presidential Office, Vice Chairman Joo Hyung-hwan of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, Minister of SMEs and Startups Oh Young-joo, Policy Chief of the Presidential Secretariat Sung Tae-yoon, and Chief of Low Birthrate Response at the Presidential Secretariat Yoo Hye-mi were present.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 4th Population Emergency Measures Meeting held on the 25th at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, under the theme of 'Sharing Achievements of Excellent Companies in Work-Family Balance.' [Image source=Yonhap News]
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