A South Korean official has been expelled from his party after suggesting that the country should "import young women" from Vietnam or Sri Lanka to help increase its birth rate.
Kim Hee-soo, the head of Jindo County in the south of the country, made the remark during a televised town hall last week, saying the women could be married off to "young men in rural areas". The comments stirred a row and led to a diplomatic protest from Vietnam.
South Korea is struggling with one of the lowest birth rates in the world, which could see its 50 million population fall by half within 60 years. Officials in rural areas are facing shrinking populations and have been exploring options such as administrative mergers between provinces and nearby cities, which was the main topic of the town hall where Kim spoke.
Attempts by Kim to calm the backlash with an apology a day after the town hall also failed. He admitted that the language he had used was "inappropriate" but said his comments were intended to help the population issues in rural regions, reports BBC.
The ruling Democratic Party acted with its Supreme Council voting unanimously to expel Kim, a party spokesperson confirmed on Monday. South Jeolla Province also issued a formal apology for Kim's "inappropriate remarks", stating that they "has caused deep pain to Vietnamese people and to women", according to local media.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul condemned Kim's statement on Facebook, saying his words were "not simply a matter of expression but a matter of values and attitudes towards migrant women and minority groups". Sri Lankan authorities have not publicly commented on the controversy.
Meanwhile, activists for women and migrant rights have announced plans to hold a rally in front of Jindo County Office on Tuesday to protest Kim’s comments.
South Korea has one of the world’s lowest birth rates, with fewer than one child per woman. Because so few babies are being born, its population is ageing fast and could shrink dramatically in the coming decades. Experts warn this could lead to fewer workers and bigger social and economic challenges.
