North Korean leader Kim Jong Un became emotional and wiped away tears during a recent event where he addressed the country’s declining birth rates and urged women to have more children. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Kim can be seen looking down and wiping away tears, while many in the audience are also seen dabbing tears.
During the event, which was a National Mothers Meeting in Pyongyang, Kim emphasized the importance of preventing a decline in birth rates and providing good childcare. He referred to these as “our housekeeping duties” and expressed gratitude to mothers for their role in strengthening national power.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, as of 2023, the fertility rate in North Korea stood at 1.8, which is the average number of children being born to a woman. This rate has been falling over the past few decades. However, it is still higher than in some neighboring countries that are also experiencing a decrease in birth rates.
South Korea, for example, has been facing a shortage of pediatricians due to dwindling birth rates. In an attempt to boost birth rates, one city in South Korea has even started hosting matchmaking events. North Korea, with a population of about 25 million people, has also faced serious food shortages in recent decades, including a deadly famine in the 1990s caused by natural disasters like floods damaging harvests.
Kim’s emotional plea for more children reflects the concern over the declining birth rates in North Korea and the need to address this issue to ensure the country’s future population growth.
