Yoido Full Gospel Church pastor honored for tackling low birthrate

Lee Young-hoon, the senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, has been honored by the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy for his efforts to address Korea's declining birthrate. The committee's vice chairman, Kim Jin-oh, presented the award to Lee during the church's Sunday service. The committee praised Lee for promoting a family-oriented environment by encouraging unmarried church members to marry, providing financial incentives for having children, and offering support to families with multiple children.

As a result of his leadership, the total fertility rate among church members aged 20 and above has reached 2.1.

During the ceremony, church member Lee Young-mi, who has raised 13 children, was also recognized with a plaque of appreciation for embodying the value of life in a time of demographic decline. Pastor Lee has consistently stressed that valuing life and nurturing the next generation is a crucial mission for his faith, and he actively encourages church families to have children.