Business, Medical, Media, and Civic Groups Gather Together
Seeking Solutions to the Population Cliff Crisis
A Festival Reimagining the Healthy Baby Contest
A civic movement to overcome low birth rates has begun in a city with one of the lowest fertility rates in the country.
On May 27, the city of Busan held the launching ceremony for the Organizing Committee of the 2025 Healthy Baby Festival at the Lotte Hotel Busan. The ceremony was attended by representatives from various sectors of the local community, including business, medical, religious, and media leaders.
As of last year, Busan's total fertility rate stood at 0.68, the lowest level nationwide. The crisis of a population cliff is accelerating due to a combination of factors: avoidance of marriage, population outflow, and aging. The city plans to use this festival as a catalyst to revive the value of childbirth and parenting, and to improve social conditions.
The Organizing Committee is co-chaired by Yang Jaesaeng, Chairman of the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Koo Jeonghoe, Chairman of the Busan Medical Industry Council. Other committee members include National Assembly member Baek Jongheon (Health and Welfare Committee), Park Jongho, President of the Busan Hospital Association, Kim Seongsu, Director of Haeundae Paik Hospital, Lee Sangchan, Director of Sehwa Hospital, Kim Youngsam, Director of Soon Hospital, Song Sanghwa, President of the Busan Association of Korean Medicine, Cho Byungje, President of the Busan Korean Medicine Hospital Association, and Shin Sonmun, Professor at Inje University College of Medicine.
Other participants include Kang Seokrae, Vice President of Busan Bank, Park Jinhyun, Director of KBS Busan, Lee Osang, CEO of KNN, Son Youngshin, CEO of Busan Ilbo, Sim San, Chief Monk of Hongbeopsa Temple, and Ahn Yongun, Chairman of the Life Care National Movement. From civil society, Park Jaeyul, Standing Representative of the Citizens’ Coalition for Local Autonomy and Balanced Development, Kim Junghwan, Secretary General of Busan YWCA, Lee Sutae, President of the Community Chest of Korea (Busan), Lee Sugyeong, Director of ChildFund Korea (Busan), and Park Jeongmi, Director of the Busan branch of the Planned Population Federation of Korea, were appointed. Joo Seoksu, Mayor of Yeonje-gu, attended as the representative of local governments.
Chairman Yang Jaesaeng stated, "Low birth rates are a critical issue threatening Busan's future, and the local community must respond together," adding, "Businesses will also actively support childbirth and parenting." Chairman Koo Jeonghoe commented, "At a time when children are so precious, I hope this will develop into a citywide festival."
Son Youngshin, CEO of Busan Ilbo and Executive Director of the event, explained, "Unlike the past healthy baby contests, this festival is being planned as the only event in Korea based on medical standards rather than commercial interests."
The event will be divided into two categories: "Healthy Baby" and "Cutie Baby," targeting infants and toddlers aged 9 months to 3 years who were born in the Busan, Ulsan, or Gyeongnam regions. Applications will be accepted from July 1 to July 20, followed by a preliminary screening, and the final competition will be held on September 5 and 6.
The finals will take place at BEXCO in Busan during the "Citizen Health Expo?Family Happiness Healthy Child Project." On-site judging will be conducted by experts in pediatrics, nursing, and maternal and child health.
Side events will include a promotional booth for marriage, childbirth, and parenting policies, as well as a video contest, childcare product exhibition, family photo sessions, special lectures by pregnancy and childbirth experts, magic shows, and balloon shows. The event is co-hosted by the city of Busan and Busan Ilbo, and organized by the Busan Medical Industry Council.
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