Introduction

A demographic shock wave emanating from low birth and population aging

is rippling throughout the country at an accelerating pace.

A structural problem of “local extinctions” has become evident, surpassing

a shrinking workforce caused by population decline and domestic financial crisis.

Despite huge efforts invested by the Korean Participatory government

such as the Framework Act on Low Birth Rate in an Aging Society

enacted in 2005 and drawing up policies aimed at promoting population

and society, South Korea is at a critical juncture of facing a terrible crisis

called demographic cliff. In reality, South Korea faced the first phase

of demographic crisis between 1982 and 1984, followed

by the second phase between 2000 and 2002, and further experienced

the third demographic cliff shock between 2015 and 2020.

What is worse, its total fertility rate reached a record low called the “dead cross,” 

a phenomenon in which the number of newborns is smaller than that of the deceased. 

This means that population may decline naturally.

Although the government has spent annually by each budget unit

(a total of KRW46.7 trillion in 2021), it registered the lowest birth rate

among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

member countries. Furthermore, the total number of newborns is expected

to reach 0.7 births compared to 0.81 last year and hit 0.6 births next year.

The Korea National Statistical Office forecasts that South Korea’s total fertility rate

will be below 1 percent by 2030.

Due to the demographic shock, we are likely to witness the “local extinctions”

phenomenon in which the number of people in provinces is significantly reduced.

In big cities, population density is on the rise, while fertility rate is dropping

due to fiercer competition in a society.

By contrast, a mismatch has become more serious as a relatively higher fertility rate

is shown in provincial areas, yet infrastructure for life is moving to Seoul

and metropolitan areas.

As such, promoting childbirth and government-wide support for certain policies

may not be a good response to address the demographic cliff.

An ecological approach covering politics, economy and society is required

by taking aims at promoting quality of life and value of happiness in the future.

In terms of polarization and balanced development, local extinctions can be one of

major issues to be resolved in association with demographic problems.

At an opportune moment, the new Korean government is also seeking ways

to draw up a new population policy that encompasses low birth, population aging

and local extinctions from a holistic perspective.

Thus, the Financial News, one of the Korean first-class newspapers focusing on economy,

will host the 5th Seoul Population Symposium under the theme of

“Overcoming Rural Depopulation... Seek Balanced Deveoplment in ecology.”

With a global perspective, this year’s event will feature programs with a particular

focus on reviewing cases of Japan and North European countries that faced low birth rate,

population aging and local extinctions earlier than South Korea.

At the event, Masuda Hiroya, a professor at the University of Tokyo, will propose

alternative solutions to prevent local extinctions as he noted the first local extinction index

in his book titled “Local Extinctions.”

Also, participants will introduce cases of overcoming local extinctions

in European countries and discuss effective management of government fiscal budgets

and solutions at the event.

On the occasion of the post-pandemic era, the 5th Seoul Population Forum will provide

a venue for open, nation-wide discussion with an aim to address

the most serious national problems, including depopulation and local extinctions.

We look forward to your active participation.

Overview

TITLE : The 5th Seoul Population Symposium

THEME : Overcoming Rural Depopulation… 

                Seek Balanced Development in ecology

DATE : July 7th (Thursday), 09:00-13:00

VENUE : Park Ballroom, Conrad Seoul Hotel

HOST : The Financial News, Seoul Population Forum,

             National Council for Comprehensive Parenting Support Centers,

             Non-profit organization Low Fertility and Aging Policy Committee

SPONSORS : National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, 

                       Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family,

                       The Presidential Committee on Low Fertility and Aging Society,

                       Population Health and Welfare Association, National Pension Service

INQUIRY : Seoul Population Symposium Secretariat

                  Tel. 02-6965-0016, E-mail. hyewon.n@fnmice.com