A serious political scandal has erupted in South Korea following remarks by Kim Hi Soo, the head of Jindo County in South Jeolla Province. He proposed a solution to the demographic crisis involving the “importation of virgins” from Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
At a public meeting addressing the issues of declining population in rural areas, the official stated that an influx of young unmarried women from abroad could help single men start families and thereby increase birth rates. His comments sparked a strong backlash from the public, with many noting the derogatory and discriminatory nature of such a proposal.
In response to public outrage, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea decided to expel Kim Hi Soo from its ranks. The official later apologized, stating that he had used “inappropriate expressions.”
Human rights and women's organizations also sharply condemned his remarks.
The Vietnamese embassy in Seoul sent an official letter of protest, calling the official's words offensive.
Currently, South Korea is facing a serious demographic crisis. According to national statistics, the birth rate in the country is only about 0.75 children per woman, one of the lowest rates in the world. A rate of at least 2.1 is required for natural population reproduction.
The country's authorities have been implementing various initiatives for several years, including financial support for families, housing subsidies, and programs that promote the combination of work and child-rearing. However, sustainable growth in birth rates has not yet been achieved.
This incident has once again raised the question of the acceptable limits of public statements and what measures the government should take to combat the threat of depopulation.
