In an impassioned speech at the Fifth National Conference of Mothers in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged women to have more children and nurture them as communists, visibly moved to tears during his address.
Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of reversing the nation’s declining birth rates and ensuring quality childcare and education. He described these challenges as collective “housekeeping duties,” urging women to play a central role in strengthening the nation’s future through increased childbirth.
The North Korean leader stressed the vital role of mothers in shaping the future of socialism and communism in the country. He tasked them with the significant responsibility of molding their children into key contributors to socialist and communist construction, envisaging them as the future leaders of society.
According to the United Nations Population Fund’s 2023 estimates, North Korea’s fertility rate stands at 1.8, marking a continued decrease over recent decades. This rate, while declining, still surpasses that of neighboring countries like South Korea and Japan, which have reported record lows in their fertility rates and have implemented government incentive programs to support young families.
Despite being one of the world’s economically challenged nations, North Korea’s demographic trends align with those observed in more affluent countries. Ahn Kyung-su, head of DPRKHEALTH.ORG, noted that many North Korean families prefer having only one child due to the financial burden associated with raising children, educating them, and supporting their employment prospects.
Kim Jong Un’s emotional plea highlights the complex interplay between demographic challenges and ideological objectives in North Korea, reflecting a broader concern about the nation’s future amidst shifting social and economic realities.