Meeting of the Population Strategy Planning Department Establishment Task Force
Exchange of Opinions on the "National Basic Birth Allowance" and Related Issues
Jeollanamdo held a meeting with the Population Strategy Planning Department Establishment Promotion Team at the provincial government office on the 20th, exchanging various opinions to overcome the ultra-low birthrate and the crisis of regional extinction. Photo by Jeonnam Province
On the 20th, Jeollanam-do held a meeting at the provincial government office with the Population Strategy Planning Department Establishment Task Force (headed by Kim Jongmoon, First Vice Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination) to discuss the establishment of a new ministry and the direction of the government's population policy.
The meeting was organized to gather opinions and suggestions from local governments actively responding to the population crisis, such as low birth rates and an aging society, in order to concretize the plan to establish the Population Strategy Planning Department.
The meeting was attended by Hwang Seunghyun, Deputy Head of the Task Force; Kim Myungshin, Director of Population and Youth Immigration at Jeollanam-do; and Yoo Mija, Director of Women and Family Policy, among others.
At the meeting, Jeollanam-do proposed strengthening the state's direct responsibility in responding to low birth rates, such as the introduction of a "National Basic Birth Allowance (KRW 200,000 per month for ages 0-17)," to serve as a turning point in overcoming the crises of ultra-low birth rates and regional extinction.
Additionally, the province pointed out the issues of the current social security system, which requires lengthy procedures, by suggesting that consultation with the Minister of Health and Welfare be made mandatory when implementing new welfare policies. They also emphasized the urgent need to revise the "Framework Act on Social Security" to grant local government heads broader discretionary powers in policies related to encouraging childbirth and child-rearing to address low birth rates.
Jeollanam-do recorded the highest total fertility rate in the country for two consecutive years, along with Sejong City, with a rate of 1.03 last year. For the first time in nine years since 2015, the number of births rebounded. This is a significant result, as the phenomenon of ultra-low fertility rates (total fertility rate of 1.3 or less) has continued nationwide since 2023, yet Jeollanam-do achieved a rate in the 1.0 range.
Kim Myungshin stated, "We will continue to pursue effective population policies and explore various ways to improve laws and systems to address population issues."
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