- Proactive policies from Incheon to address demographic changes -

- Mayor Yoo’s Incheon-style initiatives: a promising solution to the low birth rate crisis –

On June 6, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok announced his participation in the “Relay Campaign to Improve Awareness of Population Issues,” highlighting the challenges posed by demographic changes such as low birth rates and an aging population and to raise social awareness. 

The campaign, led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Human Resource Development Institute for Health & Welfare, began in October with the involvement of First Vice Minister Lee Ki-il and has since expanded to local governments and affiliated organizations.

Mayor Yoo emphasized the critical nature of addressing low birth rates through his involvement, stating, “Demographic change is one of the most pressing challenges facing our society. Incheon will actively implement various policies to address population issues and work with citizens to build a sustainable future.”

Currently, Incheon is proactively addressing the rapid demographic shifts with various measures centered on the “Incheon Style Low Birth Rate Policy.”

The flagship initiative, “i+ 100 Million Dream,” guarantees KRW 100 million for every child born in Incheon up to the age of 18, ensuring a stable environment for their upbringing. Among the wide range of other policies, the “1,000 Won Housing Program,” which provides housing for newlyweds and marriage-expecting couples at a daily rent of just KRW 1,000, is another example of Incheon’s tailored approach to population challenges.

As such, Incheon is taking a multi-faceted approach to solving the issues posed by demographic changes, going beyond addressing birth encouragement to encompass marriage, childcare, and housing.

For the campaign’s momentum, Mayor Yoo nominated Hwang Yeong-gi, Chairman of the Green Umbrella (ChildFund Korea), and Lee Dong-guk, Incheon’s promotional ambassador and a well-known multi-child parent in the entertainment industry, as the following participants. The campaign aspires to foster nationwide consensus on population issues and inspire regional policies that reflect local needs and characteristics.