The Real Reason Why South Korea Is Dying Out

Summary

South Korea's capital, Seoul, has become a double-edged sword for the nation, fostering economic growth but also leading to a population decline and regional inequality. The government's ambitious plan to build a new capital, Sejong, aims to alleviate Seoul's dominance and distribute resources more evenly. However, the relocation faces significant challenges, including resistance from government employees and politicians, and the possibility that it may not significantly alter the concentration of opportunities in Seoul. This video delves into the complex dynamics between Seoul's growth and South Korea's future, questioning whether the new capital can reverse the country's bleak demographic trajectory.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Seoul's dominance as South Korea's capital has led to economic and population concentration, causing issues for the rest of the country.
• 🌐 South Korea's economic policy post-war heavily favored Seoul, leading to a rapid concentration of wealth and resources in the city.
• 📉 The rest of South Korea has suffered economically as a result of this concentration, with businesses and people moving to Seoul, leaving other areas behind.
• 🏠 The high cost of living in Seoul, particularly housing, has led to the creation of substandard living conditions for many residents.
• 👥 Overpopulation in Seoul has resulted in extreme competition for jobs and education, contributing to the country's low birth rate.
• 📉 South Korea is experiencing one of the fastest fertility declines globally, with a fertility rate well below the replacement level.
• 👶 The financial burden of raising a family in Seoul is a significant factor in the reluctance of South Koreans to have children.
• 🏢 The South Korean government's plan to build a new capital, Sejong, to alleviate Seoul's dominance has been met with resistance and slow progress.
• 🚫 Opposition to moving the capital includes government employees and politicians who would be affected by the relocation.
• ⏳ Despite the plan to move administrative functions to Sejong, the cultural and educational infrastructure remains centered in Seoul, potentially undermining the initiative's goals.

Q & A

Why did South Korea decide to build a new capital city from scratch?

South Korea decided to build a new capital city, Sejong, to alleviate the overconcentration of population, economy, and resources in Seoul, which was causing issues such as high housing costs, extreme competition, and an aging population.

What economic policy contributed to Seoul's dominance over South Korea?

The economic policy of supporting South Korea's largest corporations, which was heavily focused on Seoul, contributed to its dominance. This led to all the money, big companies, and their factories being concentrated in Seoul.

How did the government's encouragement of higher education impact Seoul's population growth?

The government's encouragement of higher education led to a massive influx of people to Seoul, as all the jobs and top schools were concentrated there, causing the city's population to grow rapidly.

What are the consequences of Seoul's high population density for its residents?

Seoul's high population density has led to issues such as unaffordable housing, with many residents forced to live in substandard 'gwangi' apartments, and an extreme competitive environment due to limited opportunities.

Why is South Korea facing an existential threat due to its fertility rate?

South Korea is facing an existential threat because it has the lowest fertility rate in the world at 0.72, which is below the replacement rate of 2.1. This rapid fertility decline is causing the population to age and shrink, leading to an unsustainable social and economic system.

What is the 'Sejong' plan and why was it proposed?

The 'Sejong' plan is a government initiative to build a new capital city, Sejong, and gradually transfer all administrative functions there to distribute opportunities more equally around the country and counterbalance Seoul's dominance.

What challenges is the Sejong plan facing in its implementation?

The Sejong plan is facing challenges such as significant opposition from government employees and politicians who would be required to move, the proximity of Sejong to Seoul which might not deter people from living in Seoul, and the political focus on Seoul due to the majority of voters living there.

How has the concentration of resources in Seoul affected the rest of South Korea?

The concentration of resources in Seoul has led to the rest of South Korea becoming a periphery with disappearing jobs, closing schools, and a lack of opportunities, forcing the government to invest in services with diminishing returns.

What is the role of 'betterhelp' as mentioned in the script?

Betterhelp is a platform that connects individuals with credentialed therapists for mental health support, offering services such as phone calls, video calls, and messaging. It was mentioned as a paid partner in the script.

What are the financial implications for families living in Seoul and wanting to raise children?

Families in Seoul face high costs of living, including expensive housing and the need to invest in private education and tutoring due to extreme competition, making it financially challenging to raise children.

How does the dominance of Seoul impact South Korea's future if the current trends continue?

If current trends continue, South Korea's future could be bleak, with an aging and shrinking population, an unsustainable social and economic system due to the lack of young people to support the elderly, and a continued concentration of resources and opportunities in Seoul.