Child Upbringing in Seoul vs. Los Angeles: A Comparative Perspective

Lecture in Korean

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Hyoji Lee, Deputy General Manager, Yonhap Infomax

Thursday, September 18, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

10383 Bunche Hall (10th floor)

The demographic decline in South Korea is not a phenomenon that has arisen suddenly; rather, it has been a matter of serious concern for an extended period. International discourse has even suggested that Korea is on a trajectory of societal decline. Although the population downturn had long been anticipated and numerous institutional measures have been implemented, it must be acknowledged that raising the fertility rate remains an exceedingly difficult challenge.
Despite sustained increases in public expenditure and the provision of financial subsidies to families with children, evidence across countries demonstrates that monetary incentives alone are insufficient to reverse fertility decline. With the expansion of women’s educational and professional opportunities, the decrease in fertility appears largely irreversible. Nevertheless, certain nations, such as Sweden and France have achieved relative success in maintaining comparatively higher fertility rates.
In the United States, fertility has similarly fallen to replacement-substandard levels, following a trend common among advanced economies, and diverse policy measures have been enacted in response. Of particular interest is the case of California, whose population size is comparable to that of South Korea. By examining California’s fertility trends, policy interventions, and cultural context, Ms. Hyoji Lee will seek to identify potential insights and implications relevant to Korea’s demographic challenges.

Special Instructions
Event is exclusive to CKS Visiting Scholars, graduate/undergraduate students, and faculty

Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies