Ryu Jongok of Hwasun County Council Calls for Expansion of Public Care Infrastructure for Mothers and Children

Raising the Issue of Local Low Birth Rate in a Five-Minute Speech
Need to Establish a Structure for Childbirth and Postpartum Care

Ryu Jongok, member of Hwasun County Council.

Ryu Jongok, a member of the Hwasun County Council, emphasized the need to expand public medical infrastructure for mothers and children.

On July 30, during a five-minute speech at the 9th plenary session of the 275th extraordinary meeting, Ryu stated, "Our county is currently facing a worsening population decline due to the combined effects of low birth rates and an aging population. Last year, there were only 255 newborns, and we feel the absence of children's cries every day."

She continued, "Population decline is not simply a matter of numbers. It poses a serious threat as it leads to decreased economic vitality in the region and makes it difficult to maintain our community. What is even more concerning is that there is not even a safe place for mothers and babies to stay immediately after childbirth."

She further explained, "There is not a single postpartum care center in our county, and there are only two pediatric clinics. Mothers have to go to Gwangju to give birth, receive postpartum care, and rush back to Gwangju in every emergency involving their babies. Expanding safe and accessible public care infrastructure should not be a choice, but a responsibility directly linked to the survival of our community."

In conclusion, she stated, "It is urgent to establish a hub-type public postpartum care center and a children's hospital system for mothers and children in our county. We need to form a working-level consultative body and a dedicated task force with participation from nearby cities and counties in Gwangju and Jeonnam, as well as medical institutions such as Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital. I urge the executive branch to actively consider this proposal."