Lee calls for restructuring social system to meet needs of changing population structure

President Lee Jae Myung emphasized on Wednesday the need to overhaul Korea's social system in response to rapidly evolving demographics. He highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for reimagining industries, employment, education, and other sectors. The president addressed this issue during a meeting of the presidential committee on population strategy, which included government ministers and numerous citizens. The meeting aimed to aid in formulating Korea's population policies.

Korea currently faces a fast-aging population, with individuals aged 65 and above making up more than 21% of the total population. This demographic shift has placed the nation in the category of a "super aged society," characterized by having over 20% of its population aged 65 years or older. In light of this challenge, Lee called for policies that promote both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of population growth.

According to the president, a significant transformation of Korea's social and economic systems is necessary to align with these changing demographics.

Lee suggested that the entire social and economic framework in the country should be redesigned from the ground up to accommodate the shifting population structure. This transformation would encompass various sectors, including labor, welfare, education, and more.