PM disagrees with birth policy by presidential committee
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, center, presides over a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in Sejong, central Korea, Jan. 10. YonhapPrime Minister Han Duck-soo said he had expressed objections to a birth policy suggested by a presidential committee on low birthrates, as the committee's chief offered to resign after the suggestion ran afoul of the presidential office.Han made the remarks on Tuesday, the day after Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, tendered her resignation as vice chair of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy. The policy row began after Na told a press conference last week Korea should adopt policies similar to those of Hungary, under which the government allows couples to take out a 40 million-won ($32,000) loan when getting married.After the birth of their first child, the loan becomes interest-free, while after the birth of their second and third child, the loan is canceled in part and then in full, respectively, she said.Han told reporters that Na briefed him on the policy before she held th
Jan 11, 2023