Vice Chair Joo Hyung-hwan of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy said, "During the time we worked together, we built the framework to reverse low births," and told staff, "Please continue your efforts to respond to the low birth and aging crisis."
Joo, the vice chair, said in a farewell address on Jan. 2, "When I first took this post, the prevailing outlook was that even holding the total fertility rate at 0.72 would be difficult, and there were widespread concerns it could fall to 0.6 or even 0.5," adding, "I started with a heavy sense of responsibility."
Joo said, "In 2024, the total fertility rate rebounded for the first time in nine years to 0.75, and in 2025 it is expected to reach 0.8. This year, it appears likely to reach 0.9 in the first half and 0.87 for the full year," adding, "We can even expect a level in the 1.1 range, far exceeding the original 2030 target."
Joo continued, "Now the population strategy has the groundwork to move into a new phase," adding, "I hope you will pursue policy efforts with greater speed and greater strength so the hard-won spark of reversal does not go out."
Joo was appointed vice chair of the low birth committee in 2024 under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Joo continued the role under the Lee Jae-myung administration but recently tendered a resignation. It came about one year and 10 months after taking the post, with a little over a month left in the two-year term. Joo had been absent from Cabinet meetings since on the 9th of last month, prompting speculation of pressure to resign. The presidential office said the previous day it had approved the dismissal of Vice Chair Joo.