International Outrage Over South Korean Official’s Controversial Birth Rate Solution

Tue Feb 10 2026 02:42:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A suggestion from a local South Korean official to 'import' women from Vietnam or Sri Lanka to boost the country's birth rate has sparked widespread outrage and a diplomatic protest.

South Korea's push to address its critical birth rate crisis took a controversial turn when Jindo County head Kim Hee-soo suggested bringing in women from foreign countries. His remarks led to expulsion from his party amid diplomatic protests and public outrage. Kim later apologized, though the backlash continues, highlighting deep cultural sensitivities surrounding migration and gender.

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 comment during a town hall meeting last week, suggesting that these women could be married off to 'young men in rural areas.'

This suggestion comes as South Korea grapples with the lowest birth rates in the world, which could see the country's 50 million population halve in the next 60 years.

Kim's televised statement did not sit well with many, leading to a diplomatic protest from Vietnam, several days of public anger, and his expulsion from the ruling Democratic Party.

Attempts by Kim to mitigate the outrage with an apology a day later failed to quell the backlash. His remarks were made during a forum discussing a proposed merger between Jindo County and a nearby city, aimed at addressing administrative issues as populations shrink.

Kim stated that his comment was intended to highlight population challenges in rural areas but acknowledged that his language was 'inappropriate,' according to local media reports.

South Jeolla Province, where Jindo is located, also issued a formal apology for Kim's 'inappropriate remarks,' emphasizing the pain caused to the Vietnamese community and women at large.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul criticized Kim's remarks, labeling them detrimental to the dignity of migrant women and minority groups.

While Sri Lanka's authorities remain silent on the issue, activism for women and migrant rights has sparked a rally planned outside the Jindo County Office in response to Kim's comments.

The Democratic Party's Supreme Council unanimously voted to expel Kim, reflecting the seriousness of the cultural and political backlash his remarks have triggered.