Among 372 Married Officers, 50 Families Have Three or More Children
A Meaningful Message for Local Communities Facing Low Birth Rates
Jeollanam-do is one of the regions in South Korea experiencing the fastest population decline. According to Statistics Korea, the total fertility rate in Jeollanam-do last year was 0.68, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. Ultra-low birth rates, an aging population, and the outflow of young people to the Seoul metropolitan area are fueling concerns about the potential disappearance of the region.
Even amid these troubling trends, there are people who offer a warm light of hope. They are the "large-family" officers of the Yeosu Coast Guard. Out of 560 employees at the Yeosu Coast Guard, 372 are married, and among them, as many as 50 families are raising three or more children. There are even two employees who have four or more children.
In contrast to the nationwide trend of avoiding childbirth, a sense of joy and responsibility for nurturing life is alive and well within the Yeosu Coast Guard. Coast Guard officers are not just public servants; they serve on the front lines of life-saving operations. Despite the demanding nature of their work, which includes shift duties and frequent emergencies, they do not forget their roles as caring parents at home. They are practicing a double commitment?protecting both the sea and their families.
Jongyun Kim, an officer with three daughters and a 20-year veteran detective, said, "The sound of my children's laughter melts away the fatigue of the day," and added, "Protecting the lives and property of citizens at sea, and caring for my children at home, are the greatest sources of fulfillment in my life." His words reflect the mindset of a parent who prioritizes the value of life even amid a demanding daily routine.
In fact, within the Yeosu Coast Guard, there are also many families with two children or expecting a child, creating an organizational culture centered on respect for life and family. This sends a significant message to the local community, which is facing low birth rates and a declining population.
Experts say that policies to encourage childbirth alone are not enough to solve the population issue. However, examples like the Yeosu Coast Guard, where a culture centered on "values" and "community" is naturally practiced within the organization, deliver a powerful message to society as a whole: that life holds meaning beyond mere numbers.
A Yeosu Coast Guard official said on June 2, "Even in the midst of intense fieldwork, employees from large families quietly protect their homes and nurture happiness," adding, "By sharing these stories among staff, we are fostering a warm organizational culture."
The official continued, "Those who protect the blue sea are also nurturing life at home and shaping the future of Jeollanam-do. We hope that the quiet hope of Yeosu Coast Guard employees will spread gently like waves."
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