Preparations for Establishing the 'Ingu Jeonryak Gihwaebu' Begin in Earnest... First Meeting with Related Ministries Held

Preparatory work for the establishment of the Population Strategy Planning Department, which will serve as the control tower for population policy, has been intensified.

The task force for establishing the Population Strategy Planning Department held the "1st Meeting on the Establishment of the Population Strategy Planning Department" on the 7th. About 10 ministries related to population policy, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, attended the meeting.

At the plaque unveiling ceremony for the Population Strategy Planning Department Establishment Task Force held last September, guests are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Yonhap News

At this meeting, the task force discussed the introduction of new systems such as prior review of low birthrate budgets. They shared the purpose of the system with related ministries and reviewed preparations related to the scope and procedures of the review. The prior review of the low birthrate budget is a system in which the Population Department, to be launched in the future, will integrally coordinate and review the low birthrate budgets scattered across various ministries. The task force also discussed the organizational structure and staffing design direction of the Population Department, as well as necessary cooperation matters.

Kim Jong-moon, head of the task force (1st Vice Minister of State), said, "To establish the positive signs of increased births and marriages in August as a trend reversal of low birthrate, the establishment of the Population Department is necessary. We plan to thoroughly prepare all necessary matters so that the Population Department can timely perform its roles following the passage of related laws in the National Assembly and their implementation, and to closely discuss with related ministries."

The Population Department will serve as a control tower overseeing and coordinating policies related to population structure, such as low birthrate and aging society responses. It will promote and coordinate inter-ministerial cooperation, establish mid- to long-term population strategies, and manage overall population policies, including efficient allocation of resources for low birthrate projects.