South Korea to create ministry for low birth rates

South Korea intends to establish a new ministry on demography tasked with addressing low birth rates and rapidly aging population, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Monday (1 July), citing undisclosed officials.

On Monday, following a number of high-level meetings within the country's ruling party, South Korean authorities unveiled plan with an amended government organization act, which lays the groundwork for the new ministry, expected to be proposed in July.

The new ministry will reportedly be working on the national strategy of demographic development and dealing with such issues as low birth rates, aging population, labor force and migration. It will also be in charge of preparing relevant policies as well as assume some tasks currently being run by the health and financial ministries.

Additionally, the new ministry is also expected to coordinate budgets aimed to deal with low birth rates being currently handled by several ministries.

The head of the ministry will double as the country's deputy prime minister for social affairs. As soon as the new governmental unit is established, it is expected to reinforce public campaigns, drawing attention to demographic challenges as well as carry out multiple researches and analyses.