Shinhwa's Kim Dongwan Says, "Focus on Youth Suicide Rate Before Worrying About Birth Rate That Won't Improve"

Calls for Management and Intervention When Parents Fail Their Roles
"Reducing Suicide Rates Will Also Increase Birth Rates," Netizens Agree

Kim Dongwan (46), an actor and former member of the group Shinhwa, has voiced his opinion on the direction of discussions regarding low birth rates. On January 11, Kim Dongwan stated on social media, "Rather than worrying about the birth rate, which isn't improving, I wish people would focus on the youth suicide rate first," criticizing the fact that discourse on Korea's low birth rate is overly centered on numerical policy measures. He went on to say, "There also needs to be management and intervention for parents who are unable to fulfill their parental roles," calling for greater social attention to child-rearing environments and responsibilities.

Actor Kim Dongwan, former member of the group Shinhwa. Kim Dongwan Instagram

He particularly emphasized, "Rather than telling people to have more children, we should first create a society where children who are already born want to live." In response to Kim Dongwan's remarks, many internet users agreed, commenting, "He's right," and "If the suicide rate decreases, the birth rate will naturally rise." Kim Dongwan has often expressed his views on social issues, such as when he previously criticized the popular online "poverty meme," stating that "there are limits to making jokes about poverty."

As Kim Dongwan pointed out, South Korea's suicide rate is among the highest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. As of 2023, approximately 27.3 people per 100,000 population died by suicide, with the rate being particularly high among young people. Experts have pointed out that, in addition to policies encouraging childbirth, improvements in quality of life, enhanced mental health support, and the expansion of social safety nets are also necessary.

Furthermore, South Korea's total fertility rate recently reached the lowest level in the world. However, as of 2024, it rose slightly to about 0.75, compared to the previous year. The number of births increased to around 238,000, but this is still far below the population replacement level of 2.1. This phenomenon of low birth rates is intertwined with structural factors such as job insecurity, housing costs, and the burden of childcare, leading to a long-term population decline. Kim Dongwan's remarks reflect a growing awareness that discussions on low birth rate policies should move beyond simply improving birth statistics and instead focus on creating a society where young people, children, and adolescents want to live.