This article presents the current status of fertility policies put into effect by local governments in Korea, and suggests the future direction for policy improvement. In reviewing the 4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society implemented in 2021, we examined the number and budget size of projects underway in different policy areas. In addition, this article outlines the limitations these projects have and presents what should be done to make improvements on them in terms of their substance and composition.
This article emphasizes the need for the establishment of a project classification framework to promote effective management of policy implementation, establishment of performance evaluation system, reorganization of fertility policy governance system, and improvements related to the preparation of action plans.
Korea’s demographic structure is rapidly changing, with low birth rates and rapid aging, and this trend is expected to continue. In response, the government has established and is promoting the 4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society (2021-2025). The purpose of this article is to monitor the policies on pregnancy and childbirth that are part of the 4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society. As a large budget is invested in responding to demographic changes, various views should be collected and taken into account, including those of policy recipients, suppliers, and experts. Also, based on the monitoring results, policies need to be revised and supplemented.
Work-life balance policies have been a major pillar of the Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society, which has been in effect for the past 20 years. However, not enough monitoring has been conducted of those policies. For the present study, 17 work-life balance policy experts were selected based on their expertise in the areas of policy purpose and contents, project promotion systems, contents, schedules, management, and performance assessment methods. Our analysis suggests that in order to objectively, reasonably, and effectively evaluate the performance of the work-life balance policies, there is a need for systematic performance management and improvement in the effectiveness of indicators. This study makes recommendations for how to get there.
The Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society is created and updated every five in years in order to proactively address the aging population and declining birthrate and to adjust steadily to changes in social structure. As part of the aging society policy, measures have been taken to the support economic and social activities of the elderly, and in the 4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society, efforts have been taken to strengthen the measures to create an environment in which elderly workers can remain in the labor market for as long as possible. Additionally, policy initiatives have been proposed to support different social activities and ensure the quality of life in old age or retirement. This paper examines the current state of and policies on older people’s economic and social participation and suggests areas that needs to be improved upon in the Basic Plan.
This article presents the current status of fertility policies put into effect by local governments in Korea, and suggests the future direction for policy improvement. In reviewing the 4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society implemented in 2021, we examined the number and budget size of projects underway in different policy areas. In addition, this article outlines the limitations these projects have and presents what should be done to make improvements on them in terms of their substance and composition.
This article emphasizes the need for the establishment of a project classification framework to promote effective management of policy implementation, establishment of performance evaluation system, reorganization of fertility policy governance system, and improvements related to the preparation of action plans.
The purpose of this article was to monitor the social policies of metropolitan local governments on the elderly, especially in terms of their consistency and appropriateness, and to present measures that could improve these policies. Our analysis found that most of local governments’ social policies on the elderly were limited to welfare assistance. The visions, goals, and implementation strategies of those local policies were mainly in the same direction as those of the central government policies, but some differences were observed. Local government's social policy projects for the elderly are focused on their income security, health, care, and leisure culture. The budget is mainly allocated to matching programs. Based on these findings, this article suggests that in order to improve the substance of these policies, it is necessary to clarify the scope of each and establish a system for managing their implementation.
This article examines the issue of managing statistics concerning premature birth, as the vulnerable health conditions of prematurely born infants require continued monitoring and care. In the process, the Maternal and Child Health Law was reviewed, which provides a basis of policy measures for premature infants. The current health policy does not provide enough measures to meet the needs of prematurely born infants and their parents. To ensure healthy growth and development of these infants, there should be sustainable and integrated management of health statistics and information.
