By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young
President Yoon Suk-yeol said at a press conference on May 9, “I will mobilize all the country's capabilities to overcome the declining birthrate, which is a national emergency,” and announced the establishment of a new planning ministry, tentatively titled the 'Ministry of Low Birthrate Response Planning,' to prepare for a low birthrate and aging population.”
President Yoon made the announcement in a message to the public earlier in the day at a press conference on the second anniversary of his inauguration at the Yongsan presidential office in Seoul.
“We will vigorously promote regional balanced development policies and social structural reforms to improve unnecessary over-competition in our society, which is one of the causes of low birth rates,” President Yoon said, adding, “To properly lead these policies, we will establish the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Response Planning.”
“The new ministry will be in charge of the social affairs deputy prime minister to establish policies that encompass education, labor, and welfare, making it more than just a welfare policy, but a national agenda,” he said.
“I request the active cooperation of the National Assembly in amending the Government Organization Act to establish the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Response Planning.”
“We will ensure that maternity and paternity leave can be taken more freely and sufficiently, and that the government will support the burden on companies,” Yoon said, adding, “We will institutionalize flexible work arrangements such as staggered commuting and optional working hours to create a supportive environment for work and childcare.”
Yoon also said, “I have personally seen the difficulties on the ground and have been working to resolve them, but we have not been able to solve all the difficulties of people's lives in the face of global high inflation, high interest rates, and high oil prices, and the pace of our policies has fallen far short of people's expectations.”
“The cooperation of the National Assembly is essential for the government to do a better job for people's lives,” he said, adding, “We will increase communication with the ruling and opposition parties and further strengthen collaboration in the field of civil affairs.”
President Yoon also apologized for what he called the "unwise conduct" of first lady Kim Keon-hee, referring to allegations she illegally accepted a luxury bag in 2022.
It was his clearest expression of regret yet since video emerged online last year appearing to show the first lady accepting a Christian Dior handbag, valued at around 3 million won (US$2,200), from a Korean American pastor armed with a hidden camera.
"I apologize for causing concern to the people with the unwise conduct of my wife," Yoon said during a press conference. Yoon said he would refrain from commenting further, however, given that a prosecution investigation is already under way into the allegations and his remarks could be misconstrued as trying to influence the probe.
When asked to respond to the possibility the United States will ask South Korea to pay more for the stationing of American troops on the peninsula under a potential second Donald Trump presidency, Yoon said it would be inappropriate to answer based on a hypothesis.
"What's clear is that there is strong support for the South Korea-U.S. alliance from across the public and private sectors in the U.S., both parties, the Senate, the House, and the executive branch, and I am certain the firm alliance between South Korea and the U.S. will not change," he said.
"If we tackle issues based on that, I believe we will be able to smoothly resolve various negotiations and problems."
On the Ukraine issue, Yoon said South Korea is doing its best to provide humanitarian and reconstruction aid to the war-torn country but stands by its policy of not providing offensive, lethal weapons to any nation.
He added that South Korea is in an "uncomfortable" relationship with Russia due to its war in Ukraine and purchase of North Korean weapons, but aims to cooperate with Moscow in the economy and other areas where there is a common interest.
On Japan, he acknowledged differences in opinion between the two countries on their shared history. Still, he stressed the need for cooperation for the sake of their future generations.
The press conference was seen as a demonstration of Yoon's commitment to improving his communication style after the ruling party suffered a crushing defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections.
The president last held a press conference in August 2022 to mark his first 100 days in office.
