① CNN points out South Korea’s ‘No-Kids Zone’
The ‘No-Kids Zone’ business is booming in South Korea. This refers to restaurants and cafes that prohibit the entry of customers accompanied by infants or children. Last July, the Ministry of Health and Welfare commissioned a study on the current state of ‘No-Kids Zones.’ The aim is to analyze the impact of ‘No-Kids Zones’ on the low birthrate and to identify the operation methods, types of businesses, and age criteria of ‘No-Kids Zones.’ In 2017, the Human Rights Commission recommended corrections, claiming that the operation of ‘No-Kids Zone’ restaurants is a form of child discrimination.
Foreign media, including the U.S. and U.K., are also highlighting South Korea’s ‘No-Kids Zones.’ In June, CNN reported, “In the country with the world’s lowest birthrate, doubts are being raised about the legitimacy of ‘No-Kids Zones.'”
CNN pointed out, “‘No-Kids Zones,’ which aim to create an environment where adults are not disturbed, have become noticeably popular in South Korea in recent years. Preventing children in cafes and restaurants could have a counterproductive effect on encouraging childbirth.”
CNN reported that more than 400 ‘No-Kids Zones’ operate nationwide in South Korea, with 80 alone on Jeju Island. CNN also informed about South Korea’s birthrate. The birthrate in South Korea last year was 0.78, far below Japan (1.3) and the U.S. (1.6).
CNN also mentioned that the rapidly aging population in Korea is causing a decrease in the working-age population, leading to increasing issues with pension and medical costs. CNN stated, “Young people in Korea are already under pressure from skyrocketing real estate prices, long working hours, and economic insecurity.” It added, “Critics of ‘No-Kids Zones’ say the government should work to change society’s attitude towards children.”
CNN also cited examples of ‘No-Senior Zones,’ ‘No-YouTuber Zones,’ and ‘No-Rapper Zones’ in Korea.
② Decrease in Birthrate, Identifying Causes of Low Birthrate
In December last year, CNN also reported an article analyzing the low birthrate phenomenon in South Korea. CNN reported that despite the Korean government’s investment of approximately 260 trillion won (around $220 billion) to increase the birthrate, it was not enough to solve the low birthrate problem.
CNN revealed that South Korea’s total fertility rate for the last quarter was 0.79, saying, “It has set a record for the world’s lowest birthrate. This is far lower than the 2.1 needed for stable population maintenance, and also lower than the falling birthrates in the U.S. (1.6) and Japan (1.3).”
CNN analyzed that the decrease in South Korea’s birthrate is due to economic factors that prevent young people from forming families, such as high real estate prices, education costs, and greater economic insecurity. It pointed out that the problem is beyond the government’s ability to solve, even with a large amount of money invested.
CNN reported that a change in approach is needed to solve the low birthrate problem. They stated, “Many experts believe the current cost support method is too one-dimensional, and what is needed instead is the support that sustains a child’s life.”
CNN also criticized the use of parental leave in South Korea. They pointed out, “Husbands who want to be more involved in parenting find that Korean corporate culture does not allow it. Even when the office door closes, the work doesn’t end, and there is a ‘team-building’ culture after work where one feels uncomfortable if not attended.”
CNN also reported that people expect married couples to have babies in Korea. Korea does not provide in vitro fertilization (IVF) to unmarried women, does not recognize same-sex marriage, and makes it difficult for unmarried couples to adopt, adding that couples in non-traditional relationships face discrimination.
③ South Korea’s Total Fertility Rate in 2022 is 0.78
According to the ‘2022 South Korea Social Indicators’ released by the Statistics Bureau in March, last year’s total fertility rate was 0.78. This is a decrease of 0.03 from the previous year, setting a record low. South Korea’s total fertility rate is the lowest in the world. The average total fertility rate of the 38 OECD countries in 2020 was 1.59. Even then, South Korea was at the bottom with 0.84.
Due to the low birthrate in South Korea, there have been predictions that South Korea will be the first country to face population extinction. Demographer David Coleman, an honorary professor at Oxford University, said, “If this continues, South Korea is at risk of national extinction by 2750, and Japan is at risk of the entire Japanese population disappearing by 3000.”
Professor Coleman identified pre-modern social and cultural factors from Confucianism as the reasons for the low birthrate in East Asia, including South Korea. He also cited the disconnection of rapid economic development, excessive workloads, and educational environment as causes.
Professor Coleman left a remark saying, “The solution to the low birthrate may lie in methods that Korean companies might not prefer.” Joan Williams, an honorary professor at the University of California Law School, caused a stir by reacting to South Korea’s total fertility rate, stating, “South Korea has been completely ruined.” Wow! I’ve never heard of such a low birthrate.”
By. Seo Sung Min
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