A South Korean local government official has been expelled from the ruling Democratic Party after suggesting that the country could “import women” from countries like Vietnam and Sri Lanka to address its declining birth rate.
Kim Hee-soo, head of Jindo County in South Jeolla Province, made the controversial remarks during a televised town hall meeting last week. He proposed that foreign women could be married to “young men in rural areas” struggling with population decline.
The comments triggered immediate backlash from the public and diplomatic protests from Vietnam. Activists for women’s rights and migrant communities also condemned the statement, calling it offensive and demeaning.
South Korea is currently grappling with one of the world’s lowest birth rates, raising concerns that its population of around 50 million could shrink by half within 60 years. While Kim said his intention was to highlight rural population challenges, he admitted his choice of words was “inappropriate.”
The Democratic Party’s Supreme Council voted unanimously to expel Kim from the party. South Jeolla Province issued a formal apology, acknowledging that his remarks “caused deep pain to Vietnamese people and to women.”
The Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul criticized the comments on social media, saying they reflect “attitudes towards migrant women and minority groups that are unacceptable.” Sri Lanka has not officially responded to the controversy.
Meanwhile, women’s and migrant rights groups have announced plans to hold a protest outside the Jindo County Office in response to Kim’s remarks, emphasizing the need for respect and equality for migrant communities in South Korea.