The county mayor of Jindo, South Jeolla Province, sparked controversy by suggesting, “Let’s import virgins from Sri Lanka and Vietnam” as a solution to combat population decline.

On the 4th, during a ‘Town Hall Meeting on the Go’ held at the Haenam Cultural Arts Center in South Jeolla Province, Kang Gi-jung, mayor of Gwangju, and South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Yung-rok directly addressed residents’ questions regarding the administrative integration of Gwangju and South Jeolla. The event was broadcast live.

Jindo County Mayor Kim Hee-soo stated at the event, “Twenty percent of the 89 population-declining regions nationwide are in our province,” adding, “It would be good to legislate countermeasures to address the crisis of extinction under the pretext of integration.” He continued, “The population cliff was predicted since the 2000s, yet the government, scholars, and even the two of you who were lawmakers remained passive,” and “Local governments cannot devise self-rescue plans due to their dire circumstances.”

The controversial remark followed. Mayor Kim proposed, “When Gwangju and South Jeolla integrate, let’s legislate measures to address population decline,” and “If all else fails, we should import young women from Sri Lanka or Vietnam, marry rural bachelors, and prepare special measures.” He added, “How can industries thrive without people?”

Laughter erupted in the venue after Mayor Kim’s remark about “importing young women.”

Mayor Kang, however, began his response by waving his hands to criticize the remark. He said, “In 2004, when I was a lawmaker, the first Low Birthrate and Aging Society Basic Act was enacted, but despite decades of investment, it hasn’t worked well,” and “There can be various solutions, but the idea of importing foreigners for marriage is misguided.” He emphasized, “Birthrates and population will increase only if industries are established in the region,” and “Ultimately, industries must be developed.”

While the criticism aimed to highlight that integration focused solely on industrial growth cannot resolve rural population decline, some attendees criticized the framing of foreigners as “imports” and the mention of specific countries. One attendee said, “The expression was excessive. It lacks multicultural, human rights, and gender sensitivity.” Another remarked, “It reveals a view of foreigners solely as labor or marriage partners. Language should have been chosen more carefully in a public discussion about the region’s future.”

After the controversy erupted, Mayor Kim issued an apology, stating, “I intended to suggest increasing the inflow of foreign single women to address severe labor shortages in rural areas and encourage marriages for unmarried rural men, thereby enhancing rural sustainability. However, I mistakenly used the term ‘import,’ leading to inappropriate remarks.” He acknowledged, “I clearly recognize that the term could cause misunderstanding and discomfort, contrary to my original intent.”

He added, “The remark was never meant to belittle or objectify specific countries or individuals,” and “I intended to emphasize the need to respect marriage migrant women and immigrants as dignified members of society and to institutionally support their stable settlement and community formation.”

Mayor Kim pledged, “I will use more cautious and accurate language in future discussions on population decline, multiculturalism, and migration policies,” and “I will strengthen internal communication and checks to prevent similar incidents.” He concluded, “I once again apologize to those hurt by my remarks.” (The Chosun Daily)