A political scandal in South Korea arose from a statement by Kim Hee-soo, the head of Jindo County (South Jeolla Province). He suggested addressing demographic issues by attracting “virgins” from Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
During a public discussion on migration and the declining population in rural areas, the official expressed the idea that an influx of young unmarried women from abroad could help single men start families and increase birth rates. This statement provoked an uproar from the public, which characterized it as derogatory and discriminatory towards women.
After sharp criticism, including condemnation from human rights and women's organizations, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea decided to expel Kim Hee-soo from its ranks. He later apologized, noting that he had used “inappropriate wording.”
The Vietnamese embassy in Seoul sent an official letter of protest, calling the official's words offensive.
South Korea is facing a serious demographic crisis: according to national statistics, the birth rate is only 0.75 children per woman, one of the lowest figures in the world. To maintain natural population reproduction, a level of at least 2.1 is necessary.
In recent years, the country's authorities have been trying to address the low birth rate issue by introducing financial support programs for families, housing subsidies, and measures to balance work and child-rearing. However, sustainable growth in birth rates has not yet been achieved.
This incident raises questions again about the limits of public rhetoric and the methods that the state should employ to tackle the issue of depopulation.
