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 these comments during a recent town hall, proposing that the women could be married off to 'young men in rural areas.' These suggestions come at a time when South Korea grapples with the lowest birth rates globally and the potential for its population to halve in the next 60 years.
Kim's televised statement sparked significant backlash, leading to a diplomatic protest from Vietnam and widespread public outrage, culminating in his expulsion from the ruling Democratic Party. Attempts to clarify his intentions with an apology failed to quell the outrage. He later admitted that his language was inappropriate, acknowledging the sensitive nature of population issues in rural areas but faced criticism from all corners.
The local government also issued an apology, recognizing the deep pain caused to Vietnamese people and women. The Vietnamese Embassy condemned Kim's comments, highlighting their implications not just for expression but for societal values and attitudes toward migrant women and minorities. Although Sri Lankan authorities have yet to address the issue publicly, activists advocating for women's and migrant rights are organizing a rally in front of Jindo County Office in response to the controversy.
Kim's televised statement sparked significant backlash, leading to a diplomatic protest from Vietnam and widespread public outrage, culminating in his expulsion from the ruling Democratic Party. Attempts to clarify his intentions with an apology failed to quell the outrage. He later admitted that his language was inappropriate, acknowledging the sensitive nature of population issues in rural areas but faced criticism from all corners.
The local government also issued an apology, recognizing the deep pain caused to Vietnamese people and women. The Vietnamese Embassy condemned Kim's comments, highlighting their implications not just for expression but for societal values and attitudes toward migrant women and minorities. Although Sri Lankan authorities have yet to address the issue publicly, activists advocating for women's and migrant rights are organizing a rally in front of Jindo County Office in response to the controversy.
