“We Need to Solve Fundamental Issues Like Housing, Childcare, and Career Disruption”
Na Sang-ho, Head of Won Buddhism Administration, emphasized the need to address fundamental issues related to housing, childcare, and career disruption in tackling the low birth rate, criticizing the situation as merely beating around the bush.
At a press conference held at the Seoul Parish of Won Buddhism, Na stated, “If the concerns that young generations carry are not resolved, the low birth rate issue cannot be solved.” He added, “We need to focus on resolving issues such as housing, career disruptions, and childcare to achieve fundamental solutions.”
Recently, religious circles have been contributing to overcoming the low birth rate by providing programs that give opportunities for single men and women to meet and by offering childbirth incentives.
However, Na questioned these measures, saying, “To be honest, is it really our (the religious community’s) job to arrange matchmaking?” He criticized these efforts as mere gestures for show.
Regarding the upcoming 21st presidential election scheduled for June 3, Na commented, “Liberals, conservatives, and moderates are all citizens, yet the political sphere seems to recognize only the moderates during elections,” criticizing this narrow perspective.
He urged the political community to develop policies that embrace the opposing side and to pay attention to issues such as peace on the Korean peninsula, the climate crisis, nuclear waste management, balanced regional development, and the inclusion of multicultural families.