Low Birthrate Problem

[Anchor Lead]

The Korean government has spent more than 100 trillion won over the past 11 years to solve Korea's low birthrate problem. Despite the money and effort, Korea's birthrate has continued its decline and the number of babies born this year is expected to fall under 400,000 for the first time in recent history, prompting policy advisers to review birthrate policies from square one.

[Pkg]

This is a obstetrician's clinic in the Seoul metropolitan area. It's been six years since a baby's cry was heard here. The newborn unit remains dark and obstetric equipment gathers dust. In Korea an average of some 100 obstetrics clinics close their doors every year.

[Soundbite] Dr. Lee Gi-cheo (OB, GYN) : "I worry that things will get tougher. What's more frustrating is that there's no real solution."

The Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy overseeing the efforts to solve Korea's low birth rate problem has essentially been non-functioning. During the previous administration, only two meetings were presided by the president. Until recently only four out of 24 committee members were women, making it difficult for the committee to deal properly with issues over childbirth and childcare.

[Soundbite] Yu Yeong-sang(Incheon Resident) : "I wish there were policies that actually made it easier for parents to work and raise their children."

However, the committee's composition will change dramatically to include more civilians and thus incorporate opinions from the real world.

[Soundbite] Lee Dong-wuk(Office for Population Policy, Ministry of Health and Welfare) : "A civilian committee head will be put in place to incorporate more opinions from various fields and to carry out more practical measures."

The government plans to spend 24 trillion won this year to help boost the nation's low birthrate.