우리나라 인구정책에 대한 비판적 논의

Abstract

Purpose: Korea’s total fertility rate is facing a situation where it is less than 1, and the country's population is declining. In addition, as the baby boom generation retires, the problem of aging is emerging. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the current status of population policy in Korea and to find a direction for improvement through critical discussion.
 Methods: This study first examined the population policy announced by the government through the ｢4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society｣. From this, the population policies of the central government and local governments were analyzed by dividing them into economic, legal and institutional, and educational and cultural perspectives, and it was pointed out that the educational and cultural perspectives were somewhat lacking or ambiguous. Therefore, based on previous studies that affect trust in government and policies and cases of studies on population policies, critical discussions were conducted on the lack of empathy for Korean policies.
 Results: In order to successfully implement Korea’s population policy, it can be said that empathy for the policy is essential. Accordingly, it was suggested that empathy for population policy can be complemented through population education. However, continuous interaction is necessary between population policy and population education as a process of long-term efforts, and population education must also be able to find its own direction and tasks.
 Conclusion: For the success of population policy, a continuous process of discussion in various fields is necessary. Accordingly, this study developed a critical discussion on Korea's population policy based on the ｢4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society｣, focusing on empathy and education. In order to empathize with the policy, it emphasized the need to provide opportunities to face the population problems faced on a regular basis through population education.