The demographic winter is a national disaster the government must intervene
April 01, 2014 - The demographic winter that has enveloped South Korea "has been
caused by government policies over the years. And now, thanks to the artificial birth
control that has been imposed for decades, we have ended up in a disaster national".
Says, Bp. Peter Kang U-il, Bishop of Cheju and President of the Bishops' Conference
of South Korea given to AsiaNews, on Tuesday, April 1. He was speaking about recent
data relating to the ongoing decline in birth rates in the country.
The South
Korean Catholic Church has always been at the forefront in the battle for life. Inspired
by the testimony of the late Cardinal Kim, who brought the issue to the forefront
of the bishop's national pastoral agenda. The Catholic community promotes awareness-raising
activities , family support programs and demonstrations against tax policies which
effectively penalize large families.
For the first time in decades the prelate's
prediction is even shared by a government authority. According to analysts, "too many
people shy away from the idea of marriage and having children. The government must
put a new system in place that provides health care and insurance to those who decide
to start a family. We also need a change of mentality, which is perhaps the most worrying
factor".