In brief
Kim Hee-soo, a local official in South Korea, suggested importing women from countries such as Vietnam and Sri Lanka to increase the nation's declining birth rates. His comments, aimed at addressing the demographic crisis, sparked significant backlash and led to his expulsion from the ruling Democratic Party. The remarks were met with a diplomatic protest from Vietnam and public outcry regarding attitudes towards women and migrant communities.
A South Korean official who suggested the country import young women from Vietnam or Sri Lanka to boost its birth rate has been expelled from his party.
Kim Hee-soo, the head of the southern Jindo County, made the controversial suggestion during a town hall meeting last week, proposing that these women could marry young men in rural areas. His comments come as South Korea confronts the world's lowest birth rates, threatening to halve its population of 50 million within six decades.
The televised remarks led to diplomatic protests from Vietnam, public anger, and Kim's removal from the ruling Democratic Party. Kim attempted to mitigate the backlash with an apology, but it has been ineffective. The town hall meeting was intended to address local demographic issues, but Kim acknowledged that his choice of words was inappropriate.\
In a formal response, South Jeolla Province apologized for Kim's remarks, acknowledging the pain caused to both Vietnamese people and women. The Vietnamese Embassy condemned Kim's comments, stating that they reflect problematic values and attitudes towards migrant women.
While Kim's suggestion received harsh criticism and led to significant political consequences, advocates for women's and migrant rights plan to rally against his comments in front of the Jindo County Office, calling for a more respectful dialogue about immigration and demographic issues.
