Exploring New Paths for Population Policy for a Shared Future ― KIHASA Held the 38th Population Forum

• ■In commemoration of World Population Day (July 11), KIHASA held a forum to take stock of where Korea’s population policies are headed and to map out new national strategies.

• ■KIHASA President Shin Youngseok: “Population decline and local extinction are already a reality. I believe the discussions on key issues at this forum will help shape and guide the Fifth Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society in a significant way.”

• ■First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Seuran delivered congratulatory remarks at the forum, marking her first official public engagement since taking office.

• ■First Vice Minister Lee: “Pursuing a ‘basic society’ shares common ground with implementing population policies when it comes to building a sustainable society. The government will carefully listen to the voices of the public as we work on establishing a ‘basic society’ and developing concrete measures to advance Korea’s population policy.”

On Wednesday, July 9 at 2:30 p.m., KIHASA held the 38th Population Forum at the Press Conference Hall of the Korea Press Center to commemorate World Population Day (July 11). First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Seuran delivered congratulatory remarks at the forum.

Since 2014, KIHASA has held an annual Population Forum to publicly discuss various population policy issues and seek solutions. This year’s forum, the 38^th to take place, was held under the theme “Exploring New Paths for Population Policy for a Shared Future.”

The forum began with opening remarks from KIHASA President Shin Youngseok, followed by congratulatory remarks from First Vice Minister Lee Seuran. Kim Jeong-seok, President of the Korean Population Association, then delivered the keynote speech, titled “A People-Centered Population Policy: Prioritizing Lives Over Numbers.”

Next, Park Jin-kyung, former Secretary General of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, gave a presentation entitled “Evaluating the New Administration’s Population Future Strategy and Population Policy: Key Strategies.” This was followed by an in-depth panel discussion featuring Yoo Sam-hyun (Professor, Hanyang University), Lee Sam-sik (Director of the Institute of Aging Society Studies at Hanyang University and President of the Planned Population Federation of Korea), Han Sung-min (Senior Fellow, Korea Development Institute), and Lee Yoon-kyung (Senior Fellow, KIHASA). KIHASA Vice President Park Se-kyung moderated the discussion.

In his opening remarks, President Shin said, “This forum, held to commemorate World Population Day, aims to explore how we can respond to current demographic shifts. Low fertility, an aging population, and overall population decline have emerged as major social issues that threaten the sustainability of our society. The time has come to move beyond merely tracking numerical ups and downs and find practical ways to transform our society, creating a place where people can enjoy a high quality of life, broad social inclusivity, and diverse life choices and values.”

He added, “I hope today’s discussions will offer concrete guidance and insights for Korea’s overall population policy. KIHASA will continue to do its utmost to strengthen policy relevance, enhance data-driven analysis, and develop policy alternatives that take social acceptance into account.”

First Vice Minister Lee began her congratulatory remarks by saying, “Last year saw a rebound in the birth rate and fertility rate for the first time in nine years. The number of marriages also increased by 15%. Today’s forum is an opportunity to build on this momentum and find ‘new paths for population policy’ that will fill our future with hope.”

She continued, “Population policy shares common ground with the pursuit of a ‘basic society,’ in that both endeavor to ensure that the state provide its people with basic living conditions. When it comes to building a sustainable society, pursuing a ‘basic society’ ultimately means addressing the differences in educational and care conditions that arise from economic disparities, as well as resolving infrastructure gaps in different regions. The government will listen to public opinion in order to realize a basic society and develop concrete measures to advance our population policy.”

Vice Minister Lee outlined the following specific measures to achieve a basic society and drive forward population policy:

• ○Gradually expanding investment in children, for example by raising child allowances.

• ○Pursuing structural reforms based on pension reform

• ○Establishing integrated medical and long-term care systems to enable seniors to live healthy and fulfilling lives in their own communities.