Joint Representatives of the 'Low Birthrate Overcoming Task Force' Joined by Women's Groups "Leading Awareness Improvement"

First Meeting of Six Co-Representatives in the New Year
Emphasizing the Spread of Positive Perceptions of Childbirth and Parenting
Utilizing Contests, Financial Products, and Content

The co-representatives of the private-led 'Low Birthrate Overcoming Promotion Headquarters,' launched last August to overcome the low birthrate crisis, gathered in one place.

At the launch ceremony of the 'Low Birthrate Overcoming Headquarters' held at COEX in Seoul last August, Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (left), and co-representatives from various sectors are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Korea Employers Federation

The first joint representatives' meeting of this year, held on the 21st at the Bankers Club in Jung-gu, Seoul, was organized to share sector-specific activity plans for the headquarters' projects under the slogan "Our Children, Our Future" and to explore collaborative measures.

The Low Birthrate Overcoming Promotion Headquarters is a cooperative system voluntarily formed by the economic, financial, academic, broadcasting, and religious sectors. From this year, the women's sector has joined, expanding the number of co-representatives from five to six.

The representatives from each sector are Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (economic sector); Cho Yong-byeong, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Banks (financial sector); Lee Kwang-hyung, President of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) (academic sector); Park Jang-beom, President of KBS (broadcasting sector); Jin Woo Sunim, Co-Chairman of the Korean Religious Leaders Council (religious sector); and Heo Myung, President of the Korean Council of Women’s Organizations (women’s sector). The government observer is Joo Hyung-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee.

At the meeting, Chairman Son stated, "The economic sector plans to continue activities to establish a family-friendly corporate culture and improve social awareness this year as well," adding, "We will promote a 'National Low Birthrate and Aging Policy Contest' to gather public opinions, the actual users of low birthrate policies, in cooperation with the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee."

The financial sector decided to develop various products to overcome the low birthrate. Chairman Cho said, "The products will be disclosed on the public announcement site established by the Korea Federation of Banks," and added, "We will also explore linking product disclosures across financial associations to enhance consumer convenience." He further stated, "We will conduct low birthrate overcoming campaigns through various channels such as financial company branches and websites to promote positive perceptions of childbirth."

Academic representative President Lee emphasized, "We will strengthen research not only on the analysis of social, economic, and educational impacts caused by low birthrate but also on overcoming the population crisis, including low birthrate, using advanced science and technology."

President Park, representing the broadcasting sector, said, "We will continue the 'Special Broadcast Week for Low Birthrate Crisis Response' introduced last year and focus low birthrate-related programs on TV and radio." There are also plans to launch a specialized YouTube channel for parents raising children, producing diverse content on topics such as dating, marriage, childbirth, and parenting.

The religious sector will continue to arrange meetings for unmarried men and women through the 'Meeting Templestay - I Go to the Temple' program this year. Jin Woo Sunim said, "We plan to continue cultural projects to improve awareness of low birthrate," adding, "We are operating and planning various low birthrate overcoming programs centered on the seven major religious sectors to enhance the value of life, childbirth, and parenting."

Heo, representing the women's sector, stated, "A multifaceted approach is needed, including creating a family-friendly environment, strengthening childcare support policies, and supporting work-family balance, along with spreading a bright and positive perception of childbirth and parenting throughout society." She added, "We will take the lead in creating practical changes to overcome the low birthrate together with the Promotion Headquarters."

The Low Birthrate Overcoming Promotion Headquarters plans to carry out various activities to widely promote the importance of life, family, and community so that the positive trend of reversing the low birthrate, such as the rebound in the total fertility rate last year, can continue in the future.