A controversial statement on solving South Korea’s population crisis ignites outrage, raising sharp questions about ethics, gender, and political responsibility.
South Korea is facing renewed controversy after a senior regional leader sparked backlash over remarks linking population decline to foreign brides.
Jindo County Governor Kim Hee-soo came under fire following comments made at a public meeting held at the Haenam Culture and Arts Center in South Jeolla Province, where political leaders, scholars and residents gathered to discuss a proposal to merge the administrative units of Gwangju and South Jeolla.
Speaking at the event, Kim Hee-soo said South Korea has identified 89 regions at risk of population extinction, with nearly 21 percent located in South Jeolla Province. He argued that warnings about the demographic crisis had existed since 2000 but were ignored by governments and academics.
“As a last resort, we should ‘import’ young women from countries like Sri Lanka or Vietnam and provide opportunities for unmarried men living in rural areas to get married. Special provisions should be made for that. What is the point of building industries in a country without people?”
The remarks, broadcast live on YouTube, immediately triggered criticism. Kang Gi-jung publicly objected, calling the language inappropriate and demeaning.
The comments also prompted wider condemnation online, with critics accusing the governor of reducing women to demographic tools and reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
The debate now fuels national reflection on population policy ethics.
