The declining birthrate is one of the biggest challenges of modern society, and many countries are trying different policies to address the issue. South Korea is no exception, and the recent announcement by National Emergency Plan Chairman Han Dong-hoon is a noteworthy approach. His pledges include full university tuition exemption for families with three or more children, changing the threshold for multiple-child benefits from three to two, abolishing the income threshold for birth control policies, and implementing mandatory flexible work during the child-rearing years.
These measures are intended to reduce the financial burden on families and help parents have and raise more children in response to the declining birthrate. In particular, the full exemption of university tuition fees significantly reduces the burden of educational expenses, which is a very meaningful approach given that educational expenses are one of the most important factors in determining the number of children a family has. In addition, expanding support for families with multiple children further reduces the financial burden of the number of family members, which in turn encourages more families to have multiple children.
The removal of income thresholds reflects the intention to broaden the accessibility of policies to address low birthrates, while building a more inclusive support system by ensuring that all households benefit equally. The mandatory implementation of flexible work arrangements aims to tackle career breaks, particularly for women, and provide practical support for parents juggling childcare and work. These policies are expected to provide a fundamental solution to the low birthrate problem in the long term.
However, in order to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of these commitments, we need information on how they will be financed and specific action plans. As of now, there is no specific mention of this, leaving questions about the feasibility of the pledges. Furthermore, a thorough analysis and review of whether these policies can actually contribute to solving the low birth rate problem is needed.
In conclusion, while the pledges offer a novel and comprehensive approach to tackling low birth rates, more information is needed on specific plans and financing to realize them. Once this information is provided, it will be possible to more clearly assess the extent to which these policies can contribute to addressing the low birthrate in Korean society.
