Mayor Kang Youngseok of Sangju Joins "Relay Campaign to Raise Awareness of Population Issues"

Aiming to Broaden Community Consensus on Population Issues
Emphasizing the Implementation of Distinctive Population Policies

Kang Youngseok, Mayor of Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province, has participated in the "Relay Campaign to Raise Awareness of Population Issues" to enhance public awareness of the challenges of low birth rates and an aging population.

Kang Youngseok, Mayor of Sangju, Joins Campaign.

This campaign is based on a declaration jointly initiated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Human Resources Development Institute for Health and Welfare, which states, "Let us strive to make Korea a country where children are happy, young people nurture hope, and the elderly find fulfillment." The campaign is spreading primarily among government ministries, public institutions, and local governments.

On April 22, Mayor Kang joined the campaign after being nominated by Park Heeyoung, Mayor of Yongsan District. He, in turn, nominated Joo Seoksu, Mayor of Yeonje District in Busan, and Son Byungbok, Mayor of Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province, as the next participants.

Mayor Kang stated, "I hope this campaign will serve as an opportunity to broaden the consensus in our community for addressing population issues."

He added, "Sangju City will continue to implement distinctive and effective population policies, from marriage, childbirth, and childcare to youth and old age, and will do its utmost to resolve local population challenges."

Meanwhile, Sangju City is pursuing various initiatives to overcome low birth rates, including programs to help single men and women meet, financial support for pregnant women’s medical expenses, support for infertile couples, operation of a public postnatal care center, provision of childbirth and childcare subsidies, and the establishment of customized integrated child care centers. Additionally, to address population decline and the risk of local extinction, the city is promoting a range of policies such as the creation of a Local Vitality Town, the development of a Youth Dream House, the establishment of short-term accommodations for outstanding foreign talent, and the creation of a Sangju-style future talent education platform.