Kim Jong Un breaks down in viral video, begging women in North Korea to have more kids

North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Un was caught on camera shedding tears as he urged North Korean women to boost the country's declining birthrate, emphasising the need to 'strengthen national power' by having more children.

What

• In a viral video,the Supreme Leader teared up while urging women to boost the country's declining birth rate, saying it was their duty to enhance national strength. 
• The 39-year-old dictator conveyed this message at a National Mothers' Meeting event in Pyongyang on Sunday.

• In a moment criticised on social media as a staged-stunt, Kim Jong Un wiped his eyes with a handkerchief while speaking to women. 
• He stated the importance of tackling declining birth rates and ensuring good childcare, stating these are responsibilities that his government shares with the mothers of North Korea during the National Mothers' Meeting event.

North Korea’s birth rate problem

• According to South Korea's government statistics, North Korea's total fertility rate fell from 1.88 in 2014 to 1.79 in 2022. 
• Although this has declined, it's still higher than South Korea's rate, which dropped from 1.20 in 2014 to 0.78 in 2022. 

• South Korea attributes its low fertility to job market struggles, intense education competition, limited childcare, and a demanding work culture for women. 
• Despite economic challenges, North Korea's demographic trends resemble those of wealthier nations, with many families choosing a single child due to financial constraints.

How is North Korea tackling it?

• To address decreasing birth rates, North Korea is offering incentives for families with three or more children, such as free housing, state subsidies, and educational benefits. 
• Despite the current population estimate of 25.7 million, projections suggest a decline to 23.7 million by 2070, starting around 2034.
• There's speculation that Kim Jong Un's public appearances with his daughter, Ju Ae, aim to promote larger families and counter the demographic decline.