{
  "id": 9086186,
  "title": "Yoido Full Gospel Church pastor honored for tackling low birthrate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/yoido-full-gospel-church-pastor-honored-for-tackling-low-birthrate",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T05:17:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/people-events/20260922/yoido-full-gospel-church-pastor-honored-for-tackling-low-birthrate"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senior pastor Lee Young-hoon of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul has been honored by the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy for his efforts to combat Korea's declining birthrate. The prestigious award was presented by the committee's Vice Chairman Kim Jin-oh during the church's Sunday service.\n\nThe committee praised Lee for his leadership in promoting a family-friendly environment within the church. He has implemented various initiatives to encourage marriage among unmarried congregants, provided financial incentives for families who welcome children, and actively supported those with multiple children.\n\nAs a result of his efforts, the total fertility rate among church members aged 20 and over has reached 2.1, a significant improvement. To recognize the value of life in the face of demographic decline, church member Lee Young-mi, who has raised 13 children, received a plaque of appreciation during the service.\n\nThroughout his tenure, Pastor Lee has consistently emphasized that valuing life and nurturing the next generation are fundamental aspects of his faith mission. He has actively encouraged church families to embrace the importance of having children, recognizing it as an essential component of their spiritual journey.",
  "summary": "Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, received recognition from the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy for his leadership in tackling Korea's dwindling birthrate through proactive churchwide initiatives. The church said Tuesday that the committee’s Vice Chairman Kim Jin-oh delivered the award to the senior pastor during the church's Sunday…",
  "key_points": [
    "Senior pastor Lee Young-hoon honored for combating Korea's declining birthrate",
    "Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy presents prestigious award",
    "Church initiatives encourage marriage, provide incentives for families with children"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The honor bestowed on Pastor Lee Young-hoon underscores the church's proactive role in addressing South Korea's low birthrate, setting a notable example for other religious institutions to follow.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Yoido Full Gospel Church pastor honored for tackling low birthrate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/yoido-full-gospel-church-pastor-honored-for-tackling-low-birthrate-9090953",
        "published": "2026-09-22T05:47:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}