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South Korean official ousted over controversial remarks
Kim Hee-soo, the head of Jindo County in South Korea, has been expelled from the ruling Democratic Party after suggesting the country should import young women from Vietnam or Sri Lanka to address its declining birth rate.
Controversial proposal at town hall
During a town hall meeting last week, Kim proposed that young women from Vietnam or Sri Lanka could be married to young men in rural areas. The remarks were televised and quickly sparked backlash.
South Korea is currently facing the world's lowest birth rate, with projections indicating its population of 50 million could halve within 60 years.
Diplomatic fallout and public outrage
Vietnam's embassy in Seoul condemned the remarks in a Facebook statement, calling them "not simply a matter of expression but a matter of values and attitudes towards migrant women and minority groups." The controversy also triggered days of public anger in South Korea.
Kim attempted to defuse the situation with an apology the following day, but the backlash persisted. South Jeolla Province, where Jindo County is located, issued a formal apology, acknowledging that Kim's words had "caused deep pain to Vietnamese people and to women."
Sri Lankan authorities have not publicly commented on the matter.
Expulsion from ruling party
The Democratic Party's Supreme Council voted unanimously to expel Kim on Monday, a party spokesperson confirmed. The decision follows the widespread criticism of his remarks.
Background to the town hall meeting
The town hall had been convened to discuss a potential administrative merger between the province and a nearby city, a common strategy for regions with shrinking populations. Kim later clarified that his intention was to highlight rural population issues but admitted his language was "inappropriate."
Protests planned over remarks
Activists advocating for women's and migrant rights are reportedly organizing a rally outside the Jindo County Office on Tuesday to protest Kim's comments.
