Namwon Paying Big Bucks For You To Get Busy

I saw this on the Jeonju Hub and thought it funny.  South Korea has a declining birthrate and eventually the population of the country will begin to decline as Koreans will be unable to replace their own numbers.  This apparently concerns some people enough to take action.

Namwon decided to bump up it's "baby bonus".  (Source Here) originally from (Jeonbuk Ilbo)

In order to fight against the plunging birthrate, Namwon has ratified a new baby bonus program. They have raised the amount, and introduced assistance for thefirst child. Now, monthly assistance for the first baby is 500,000 won; the second is 1 million won, the third is 2 million won; and if you have a fourth baby in Namwon, the government will support you to the tune of 4 million won per month. This is in addition to subsidized fertility clinics, prenatal care centers, breastfeeding clinics and nutrition support programs all offered to encourage procreation. Namwon is pleading with its citzens, "Don't go forth; but multiply."

The solution to Korea's birthrate is not bribing people with small lump sums of cash.  What good is a one-time payment of 1 million won when the woman loses her job for getting pregnant?  Korean women are openly discriminated against by businesses and employers who do not want to compensate or plan for a woman's right to maternity leave.

Additionally, children are expensive.  Sending kids to hagwons can break a parent's bank.  Having more kids means less money for each child's education.  That in turn could mean their kids do not grow up and get good jobs.  Which means their kids someday might not be making enough money to take care of their own parents in their old age.

In case you get the urge to move to Namwon before having your next kids, here is where it is.

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