Rapper Neoksal pointed out the severity of the low birth rate issue, criticizing that government support for childbirth and child-rearing is grossly insufficient. Online users engaged in heated debate over his statement that parents who have children should be treated as heroes.
On the 16th, a video was released on the YouTube channel "Annyeong Hansamyo & Urban Zakapa," featuring Neoksal discussing marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing.
In the video, Jo Hyun-ah asked about the opinions of people around them who ask newlyweds, "If you are not going to have a baby, why did you get married?"
Neoksal responded that such remarks were "rude," noting that "older people from a different generation often say things like that."
Jo Hyun-ah also expressed empathy, saying, "They ask why you don't have children even though you are married." Co-star Park Soon-il added, "There are also cases where they ask if you plan to have children."
The conversation then shifted to government policies supporting childbirth and child-rearing.
When Jo Hyun-ah asked, "I heard support funds have increased because the birth rate is low these days; is that actually true?" the participants discussed the support funds they receive while raising their children and changes in related systems.
During this exchange, Neoksal stated, "To be honest, this country has not come to its senses," adding, "Does it make sense that there are only this many benefits even though the collapse of the nation is imminent?"
He further argued that support for childbirth and child-rearing should be significantly expanded, stating, "It would not be enough to just elevate those who give birth to the status of heroes."
Neoksal emphasized, "Having a child may not be an official position, but I believe we need to encourage and promote it more."
Jo Hyun-ah also expressed the opinion that sufficient support is needed after a child is born, premised on the fact that childbirth is a personal choice.
She said, "There are people for whom having a child is a choice, but there may also be those for whom it is not," adding, "We must support and encourage those people when a child is born in whatever way."
She continued, "Right now, it feels like only the essentials are supported, and one cannot live with a little extra comfort," pointing out that child-rearing support remains at a level that merely covers basic costs.
Online users' reactions to Neoksal's remarks were divided.
Some netizens criticized him, saying, "What kind of talk is that after having a child because you wanted to?" and "What are you thinking if you want the country to take care of the children you had yourself?" and "It is a policy to encourage childbirth, not a policy to compensate for it, isn't it?"
On the other hand, opinions emerged that support should be expanded considering the severity of the low birth rate issue.
Other netizens expressed agreement with Neoksal's claims, stating, "Considering our country's current situation, making people have children even at a financial cost is the priority," and "In a country facing a population cliff, something must be done," and "Does someone as financially comfortable as Neoksal need support funds? He spoke from the perspective of an ordinary household."
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