North Korea’s authoritarian leader encourages women to increase childbirth.

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, known for his unconventional statements, addressed the inaugural National Mothers’ Meeting in Pyongyang after an 11-year hiatus. He stressed the pivotal role of mothers in preventing a decline in birth rates, framing it as a collective responsibility to bolster national strength. Kim became emotional during his speech, leading to visible emotional responses from the women in attendance.

Referring to the women as “Dear Mothers,” he earnestly urged them to fulfill their duty as bearers of children amidst growing concerns about a decrease in North Korea’s birth rate. Kim was quoted by Reuters at the Pyongyang event, stating, “Preventing a decline in birth rates and ensuring good childcare are responsibilities we all need to manage together with mothers.”

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to mothers for their contributions in fortifying national power. Kim revealed a personal sentiment, mentioning that he always considers mothers during challenging times when managing party and state affairs.

Experts have highlighted the distinctive societal challenges contributing to North Korea’s declining fertility, noting Kim Jong Un’s public appearances with his daughter, Ju Ae, as potential efforts to promote family values.

Kim’s appeals underline the government’s determination to counterbalance South Korea’s aging population. According to the United Nations Population Fund, North Korea’s fertility rate stood at 1.8 as of 2023, showcasing a prolonged decline in recent decades, attributed to factors like urbanization, delayed marriage, and increased female workforce participation.

However, North Korea’s birth rate remains comparatively higher than many neighboring countries facing similar downward trends. For instance, South Korea witnessed a record-low fertility rate of 0.78 last year, while Japan’s figure dropped to 1.26.