Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Blue, red, orange candidates make pledges targeting birthrate crisis, different life stages

From pink-colored license plates on vehicles for families with multiple children to freezing sperm and ova, Korean presidential hopefuls are proposing all kinds of policies to convince people to have more children.

2025-05-21

School's out for good, but repurposing plans are getting held back

The number of permanently closed schools is on the rise with shrinking student populations, but repurposing the buildings is running into snags for some, while others have found new use by their communities.

2025-05-16

Japanese businesses are being killed off by labor shortages. Korea could be next.

Labor shortages are driving Japanese businesses to bankruptcy, unable to keep up with wage demands and without replacement options. Korea is trending in the same direction.

2025-05-15

Show us more than money to raise birthrate, youth tell lawmakers

A subcommittee under the presidential population policy committee comprising youth participants told experts and lawmakers said that while cash incentives are popular, they fail to address the crux of the issue.

2025-04-25

Korea records first on-year increase in February births in 11 years

The number of births in Korea rose in February for the first time in 11 years, driven in part by a continued increase in marriages, according to Statistics Korea on Wednesday.

2025-04-23

City of love? Incheon announces new matchmaking events, free weddings and parenting support

From matchmaking events to free wedding venues and extended child care services, the Incheon city government is ready to support young people wishing to find their lifetime partners and further support families with children.

2025-03-13

Gov't to offer 'fast track' airport departures to families with 3 or more kids

Families with three or more children can now receive “fast track” benefits at airports and hotels in Korea, a presidential committee announced on Tuesday, as a part of efforts to address the country's low birthrate.

2025-03-12

Critical challenges loom as Korea becomes a super-aged society

Korea has officially become a super-aged society, with over 10.2 million people aged 65 or older, accounting for 20 percent of the total population.

2024-12-24

Newlyweds fall below 1 million in 2023 on unconducive priorities, economy

The number of newlyweds, or those married for five years or less, fell below 1 million in 2023 on changing values and economic difficulties.

2024-12-10

Korean gov't aims to increase paternity leave to 70% by 2030

The Korean government on Tuesday set plans to enable 70 percent of working fathers to take paternity leave over the next seven years to boost the nation’s chronically low birthrate and to foster a parenting-friendly environment.

2024-12-03