Kim Jong Un tearfully begs North Korean women to have more kids as birth rate declines

Kim Jong Un passionately implores North Korean women to increase childbirth rates amid a decline, as he stands surrounded by uniformed leaders. In an emotional plea, Kim emphasizes the importance of strengthening the nation through a higher population, echoing the sentiment of the audience members who shed tears in solidarity.

Addressing the crowd, Kim declares, "Stopping the decline in birth rates and providing good child care and education are all our family affairs that we should solve together with our mothers." South Korea's government statistics agency reveals a decrease in the average number of children per North Korean woman from 1.88 in 2014 to 1.79 in 2022. Despite North Korea having a higher fertility rate than its southern counterpart, Kim urges women to further increase the birth rate.

During his speech, Kim, occasionally wiping his eyes with a white handkerchief, underscores the urgency of this matter. The enthusiastic audience applauds him as he advocates for an increase in childbirth. Notably, North Korea is reportedly offering special benefits to families with three or more children, including free housing, food, medicine, household goods, and educational incentives.

Some observers point out that Kim frequently appears in public with his young daughter, Ju Ae, possibly as part of a public relations strategy to encourage family growth. The event, named the National Mothers meeting, marks the first of its kind in over a decade. In addition to encouraging more births, Kim advises North Korean women to raise children in a manner that will contribute to the Communist nation's future success.

Kim outlines the priorities for North Korean mothers, urging them to raise children who will carry forward the nation's revolution, eliminate non-socialist practices, foster family harmony and social unity, establish a sound cultural and moral life, promote communist virtues, address the declining birth rate, and effectively educate their children.

The decline in population could have significant implications for North Korea, including potential impacts on its military, which boasts the fourth-largest standing army globally. Despite ranking 56th in total population, any acute decline in numbers could jeopardize the nation's stability and its isolated socialist government, which faces heavy sanctions.