Half of the local governments in Korea are at risk of extinction | Undercover Korea

[@suuismith7620]

Visited South Korea twice, enjoyed Seoul but too many people rushing around, hardly smiling and on their mobiles constantly. The second trip we spent nearly 3 weeks visiting small towns and villages. Husband and I enjoyed immensely the peace, quiet slower pace of life. People are friendly, engaged in conversations and very helpful. The views , greenery, mountains and places to see are beautiful. The food too are delicious. Planning our next trip to continue visiting the rest of South Korea, your beautiful temples and hiking trails. The government need to encourage younger generations to stay in their hometown by investing in jobs, medical care, businesses, affordable housing and competitive salaries . Will break my heart to see all this lovely places disappear.

[@LadyLawyerG]

The government should promote small town tourism. Invest in small town with regional projects.

[@MrMwurm]

Even better, the work of people in those small towns should invest in their future, paying their very own towns people to do the work of beautifying the towns and making it tourist attractive. Rbnb. Style sleeping quarters Home style cooking by local folks. Invest in small campers. Invest in motor bikes. Rental cars. Airport pickup. Vested tour guides. Vacation planners. True-it may cause the price of a vacation to go up, to some degree, but, worth it no doubt to the older ones who remain behind as kids flock to Big cities because they seek Big money lifestyle. There are so many ways the people of those small towns can save themselves from extinction

[@MrMannyhw]

Korea going give away old houses and businesses to foreigners? So immigrants go live in the towns? They doing that in rural Japan these days.

[@xx3792]

Should give to other homeless Koreans

[@everythingisfine9988]

​@@MrMannyhwkinda, most immigrants aren't allowed to stay there permanently. Without that long-term stability, a lot of them are going to avoid these places

[@hikjee]

So sad to see some schools closed. I grew up in the countryside, my playground was fresh air, nature, forest. The best environment as a child.

[@TimeTraveller010]

And you have a japanese name...(?)

[@hikjee]

Great documentary that brought me back some nice memories. I travelled solo in Korea from north to south during one month. I went by bus to the countryside (highly recommended to be immersed with locals and stops in remote areas). Small towns and villages are a must see, so peaceful and authentic. I have been confronted to their harsh conditions of life. A big slap in my face. I also hiked in Seoraksan and Jirisan, stayed in a beautiful temple for 2 days nested in the mountains. A glimpse into farmers and monk’s humble life was a wonderful and rewarding experience. Eating good food, disconnected from technology, waking up in a deserted environment with the sounds of Buddhist prayers, unbelievable moment, I felt in another world. My best memory so far. Back to the hectic robotic crowd (and superficiality) of Seoul was depressing.

[@user-pk6fk5ns1s]

im glad to hear your perspective man. i always prefer seeing more than the face of a country.

[@이상호-l5c1z]

I think foreigners go to Buddhist temples much more than the koreans😂 I mean as a Korean I have only one or two Buddhist acquaintances and I know nothing about Buddhism. I was quite surprised when foreigners know about Buddhism more than us. The only religious book I’ve ever read was Bible

[@danicoleb5394]

I've been watching a ton of random videos on different countries' economies and the one thing that's remained consistent is this rampant transformation from agriculture and manufacturing to tech and professional services. And it's causing huge population declines in these more rural areas and ballooning the cost of living in urban areas. Not everyone can be in tech and professional services. These governments need to incentivize other industries too and spreading out their population to other areas of their country. I'm shocked the rice farmer sold less than half his stock and the government wouldn't purchase it. To be the largest rice producer in the country, SURELY the government would subsidize their business and transport that rice (if possible) cross country. What a waste. Hopefully every country works this out.

[@pixierainbow7]

I think the same is happening in Japan but the local government has programs to boost the local economy by promoting and supporting locality specialties in each region. There's def an aging population but there are young families moving back from the cities and raising their families in the small towns they grew up by farming, producing clothes from natural dyes, and promoting the produce and clean environment.

[@MrMannyhw]

Japan small towns started dying first compared to Korea or China as it was first in industrialized. Only poorer countries have a lot of towns as it centred around farming.

[@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer]

Every developed country in the world has lower than 2.1 birth rate per woman which is the minimum sustainment rate. France has the highest in the EU at 1.8. South korea is the lowest but its not exclusively a korea and Japan problem. There is no known solution, but countries just keep throwing money at the problem.

[@MiniM69]

They need to hurry up. Japan has the oldest population per capita in the world!

[@xada2397]

@@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer women's rights is the problem. fertility rates didn't start dropping below replacement until women were pushed into college and full-time work.

[@toteswurmelein]

Living on the german countryside. Similar situation. At least 50% of people i went to school with left for big/ger cities. I am employed 150km far away. I drive it. Since 2011. I dont want to life in a huge city, neither could i afford a nice Appartement there, while here i have an own house. 🤷 The neighbours? All 65-90 yrs old. The neighbourhood is getting older, the houses are abandoned. No farmlife anymore.

[@asmr4424]

As someone who was born at the countryside and now living in the city. I would still go back to the countryside someday and live the rest of my life peacefully. City life is stressful and everything requires money. I think living a simple and happy life will be enough for me someday with roof and enough food on my table.

[@gavinlew8273]

Everyone goes to the city to make money. That's why countryside is empty. Wealth and capital ought to be evenly distributed throughout the country to prevent things like that from happening.

[@ryanloh1981]

[@alyssasteps]

When you grow older (maybe age 30 plus) you'll start to appreciate the simple life more.

[@f4rensabri]

In my country, the government build boarding schools and universities in the rural and suburbs. In a few years those places grew into small towns with quite decent populations because housing and commercial areas are opened to accomodate the needs.

[@adadisini2898]

It same as Malaysia

[@f4rensabri]

@@adadisini2898 I am in Malaysia

[@adadisini2898]

@@f4rensabri patutlah macam cara orang Malaysia ja bercakap

[@simpley6256]

There are so many foreign agricultural workers in South Korea.

[@JJ-er1ng]

It's interesting how my birth country is all about family, yet no one wants to take up the farming tradition. Here in the US family is probably no where nearly as important but plenty of farming families continue to pass on the tradition

[@zerohero5753]

Farming in the US is heavily subsidized, farmers tend to be wealthy and they hire m1grants for the hard labor.

[@lutomson3496]

I left a 5th generation dairy farm as there were better ways to make a living then working 12 to 14 hour days every day of the year, since I was 5 and i left at 18 and the young people dont want to farm and the small dairy farms are going extinct, big farms buying out small ones looks the same there...

[@downrightmike]

Because the USA heavily subsidizes farm produce and have since the early 20th century. Like the rice storage facility manager said, if they don't sell thousands of tons of rice quickly, it will have no value. The USA doesn't do that. That all would get bought and probably turned into biofuel.

[@banzaaiiiii]

Which country is this? In Western Europe and North America farmers are generational business and filfthy rich.

[@j-trandell9274]

Excellent piece - thanks for posting this documentary. It's heartening to see such results of the hardwork and diligence, sincerity even, of the Korean nation!

[@arthurdanielles4784]

S Korea government should give 'rural workers' TAX FREE' status re the money they earn, based on the hours they work AND that they LIVE there NOT travel hundreds of miles daily to get to their work etc Special concessions for those who have kids.. massive incentives to parents re heavily reduced school fees and and !

[@wanr5701]

When my time to retire I am more than happy to sell my home in the city and relocate to small town for a far more peaceful life, away from the stuck up attitude of city dwellers and dog-eat-dog lifestyle in the city. Too bad people in some other places can't do the same because their government pander too much to the businesses in the big city and focus all resources there, instead of spreading out development evenly throughout the country.

[@wendyboateng6285]

Don't sell the house rather rent it out

[@PhilCherry3]

It’s my understanding people in South Korea don’t have the social security safety net & other pension plans we have in the United States.

[@기태박-n2g]

​@@PhilCherry3 잘못알고 있다. 미국이 어떻게 주는지는 모르지만 국민연금제도, 기초생활수급제도 등이 있다. 그리고 의료시스템은 미국보다 뛰어나다. 민영화된 미국보다 의료보험시스템 및 질적으로 우수한 의료혜택을 받을 수 있다.

[@wanr5701]

​@@기태박-n2g​​yet from what I read, all these medical facilities are all located in cities instead of small towns and rural areas. My Korean friend with serious medical conditions had to stay and work in Seoul because of the medical services; he had no immediate access to it should he relocated to rural areas or even small towns. Too bad because he far prefer life outside cities.

[@PhilCherry3]

@@기태박-n2g Please translate for me.

[@somethingtothinkabout167]

Since we moved to Yangpyeong East of Seoul two years ago, they have built or started to build over 25, 18 to 20 storey apartment buildings. So some smaller cities are growing rapidly.

[@igottimetodaybrah209]

Watching your video from Colorado (US). I love your towns. It's really beautiful and so were your friends. I hope you have a resurgence

[@clrev6044]

Unbelievable to heart South Korea rice farmers are worried surplus of rice leftover when rest of the world is fighting inflation and shortage of rice/other food staple. Let UN know and sell to other countries with food shortages.

[@danicoleb5394]

This! I couldn't believe the government just left them hanging with over 50% of their stock just waiting to be bought. That's so freaking wasteful.

[@sharrablackfire7337]

I'm in the U.S., but I desperately want to find one of these corners of the world that need families with young kids and people with energy and a willingness to work hard to integrate. If someplace would just let me in, I would thrive

[@sharrablackfire7337]

I AM a white woman farmer :P @@bihapi

[@indisciipline]

Look to Sicily.

[@speedythings7396]

@@sharrablackfire7337 They would definitely allow you to live there since you're a woman and white too.

[@sharrablackfire7337]

@@speedythings7396 Do they actually have a preference in that way? I would have thought it would count against me

[@speedythings7396]

@@sharrablackfire7337 Lmao, yes. If you can boost their population and also provide for the economy they're gonna respect you a lot. Being white is a bonus.

[@thomHD]

Seoul and Tokyo have come to look increasingly more like city states more comparable with Singapore than to any European capitals. One result of this is that foreign visitors tend only to see these modern and organised capitals - and nothing of the rusting towns and disappearing communities beyond. Very different to the UK or Germany, where the population is far more evenly spread.

[@juanpAAA2059]

Great documentary! It is sad to see the elders still working.

[@Panther93225]

당진….. I remember that city like it was yesterday. At that time I was in my early 20’s so I desperately wanted to get out and go to Seoul. But now, I appreciate and love the rural part of Korea. It’s really sad all the countryside is dying. Can’t wait to go back and explore once I go visit S.Korea again.

[@deettekearns9092]

It's not just Korea. The same is happening all around the world. There are steps that can be initiated to help grow these small towns, but are the politicians/people in charge willing to put in the money, planning and time to make the changes?

[@gavinlew8273]

Small towns need to make housing more affordable and attractive. People will move there if the price is right and if good jobs and amenities are available. Remote work is also a possibility today. The trouble is, each province is managed by different governing bodies, Seoul will continue to get the most investments while the rest are neglected.

[@deettekearns9092]

@@gavinlew8273 - Agreed. All it takes is motivation and relentlessness. It can be done.

[@everythingisfine9988]

Modern life. All jobs require a lot of education and skills. Educating a child is expensive and time-consuming. Most people can barely afford their own expenses let alone an additional mouth to feed. Are we surprised this is happening globally?

[@flipperspro69]

Indeed excellent documentary!!! I loved Korea especially Gwangju and Daegu!!!! Can’t wait to visit. Hello from Colorado.

[@jacinterradaev3107]

Most developed countries face similar issues. Here in the UK the economy is mainly in the south in and around London. The north had large industries like steel textiles and manufacturing but these industries have all mostly disappeared. They call it the 'north and south divide' . The house prices are extortionate also in the south east of the UK. Average rent is at time of writing (April 2024) £2000 per month for a two bedroom apartment. Average flat are £500000. Unaffordable😬. Where as in the north of the uk towns such as Doncaster or Sheffield you can rent a two bedroom house for £400pcm. Just getting work is the problem 😶

[@arthurdanielles4784]

There are many solutions but few resolutions that are noted AND kept re promises made etc. Corruption in government, in law and order, in profiteers who capitalise on long hours, cheap labour and hence little time re the workers, for romance. for hobbies and interests; loss of families, no new kids.

[@deettekearns9092]

This ⬆

[@koreakim693]

This. And long hours are a killer, it's hard enough to have friends let alone a relationship. Who has time to have kids?! Hell

[@astrafaan]

Exactly - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why their population is dropping - no way would I want to bring a child up there. The levels of corruption and immunity to the law for some horrify me. They're going to be ruling over a country filled with migrant labour if they don't cut their hideous greed out - and that won't happen :). They don't call it Joseon hell for nothing

[@bluemoondiadochi]

Ok. and everybody leaves their quiet villages for Seoul, to live in a 2x2 doghouse which costs million per month, to work 2-3 part time jobs and never set aside enough or get ahead. or if theyre lucky, to work till they drop as slaves of a chaebol. someone riddle me how this makes sense. you waste your live and work yourself to death just to have a pretense of being "where it matters" just because "everyone is here". i dont get it. and i grew up in the city and now live in a rural setting for my job. yea im lucky.

[@emmah6045]

Same thing here in the USA. The lure of big salary in the big city--but eventually the young people find out that everything costs more--housing, clothing, food-- they are aging without gaining anything that lasts. They work longer hours. They cannot afford a house, a family, or any leisure time. It is an empty promise to believe that life in the city is "richer."

[@tcb7098]

Starting to sound waaaaaaay too much like America.

[@forexdragon]

Another excellent doc by K-Doc. Well done. I live in Dangjin with my wife, but. are originally from Canada! I like Dangjin as it's much more pleasant to live than hectic Seoul. The first reporter is so funny. She got a flat tire and she dropped her phone in the mud. Hahaha

[@AxionSmurf]

My small town birthplace in the US is like these Korean towns. But it was mainly the closing of coal mines that brought about their decline.

[@LomthunziJere]

Very interesting topic but my older eyes are finding it difficult to read the subtitles

[@raysabor3413]

Thank You ,Very informative, Beautiful Country, Outstanding Food, and Wonderful People. station there 1978-1979 1984-1985 visited 2023 Wow the changes are Amazing , Still Wonderful People, and Outstanding Food .

[@Sakja]

I can't seem to go a day without hearing Korean. I have to watch a documentary or a drama. I'm addicted.

[@MissCoco2109]

The problem is that the Korean government only focuses on Seoul... even though there are many villages in Korea that could have tourism potential

[@Dean1000...]

I love small Korean towns! ( i love all Korea but small towns specially )

[@enooeeelelee_]

How is there a surplus of rice?! It's the main part of every meal; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Makes no sense.

[@metoo6599]

I ❤ South Korean countryside. My heart will always be there ❤

[@vitorsankler8695]

It´s fascinating how all the east asian countries have this kind of problem Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul are the cities where the majority of the investment goes and this leads to other problems like the growing prices of the real state and education.

[@nenettesilver]

I am surprised about what the man said: they are having a hard time selling their rice. Why is it? The whole world practically eating rice.

[@etobillions]

cut tax rates significantly for companies to go locate in those cities

[@jamiefooddreamer6381]

This is happening in most countries. Decentralization should be implemented in politics. Imvesting happening all regions rather than just in cities.

[@blakespower]

not in America residential areas outside of cities are always growing, I see them cutting down all the trees or building on farmland that has been farmed for over 400 years

[@frankkennethdepamaylo4019]

@@blakespower but US population is maintained bcuz of migrants but US birthrate is declining also bcuz most states has around 35 to 45 median age meaning its having a declining state

[@ouryellowcreations1961]

I miss your series stories, it inspires me and I always get a significant lessons every end of those stories, it's so interesting, as an adulting individual this channel prepared me to witness different kinds of difficulties that i might encounter in my journey, it also made me appreciate and be thankful of the things that I have, wishing this channel a more success, god bless ✨

[@tropa241]

The people in the countryside are not as nice as you think.

[@LMBOatU]

I think that since they adopted democracy and capitalism in the mid- 1900s, like around the 60-70s, right? I think they are finally coming down from the economic boom of their major city. Eventually those young people will tire of the Seoul lifestyle, companies will spread, major industries will open in different places, new industries will be founded and people will rediscover that smaller towns or small cities can also provide good lifestyles. Other countries went through this too. Things will level out, I hope

[@gpablico1006]

Was surprised about the amount of rice stored. could it be sold out of the country? Or it has to be sold only in your country. Wondering because there are some country that would purchase it.😊

[@nap163020]

Agreed. I was wondering the same. Isn't it better to export all that rice? Are they not allowed to do so?

[@rakamu2940]

I think becos the type of rice thay we eat isnt same. What i know their type of rice is more stickier. Im a malaysian n we eat rice that less stickier daily. We have sticky rice but we eat that as dessert.

[@astrafaan]

tbh even if they get women into these places I don't think it's going to solve their population problem - who on earth would want/could afford children with the way their education "works" atm. I'd say a lot of it is the hideous wealth inequity there and corrupt govt/corporations. Korea is a wealthy country....but it's mostly in the wrong place.

[@Scho-penhauer]

I read in the Korean news that the government has already started a program to bring immigrants to fill these dying villages on condition that the don't leave them before 5 years. Past experiences show that immigrants used to run away from these harsh conditions to the big cities. Similar crisis is Japan and Taiwan.

[@thatcanadiangrandma]

That is what they are doing here. Without them, there would be no cashier's at the grocery store, no workers in the fields and in so many places. But despite their help, it also creates problems. We have a housing crisis because they fill most apartments, and the construction of new building is halted because of the inflation that jacked up the price of materials, and there is a lack of workers. And ppl here are not very tolerant of immigrants, even if they are quite needed

[@articlered2334]

They would be off their heads........just to keep GDP growth and them comes a homeless crisis followed my a housing crisis

[@100schlingensief6]

Pssst... Don't tip southeast asians and indians into thinking korea need immigrants 🤣

[@Scho-penhauer]

​@@100schlingensief6where do you think they get their immigrants?! They're from the countries you mentioned.

[@damianw5861]

Unlike the west, East asia doesnt like immigrant, they prefer their village died out than bring in immigrant

[@yantimike1133]

Actually same case like japan... why not open and easy for foreigner to study / work & stay in the country??

[@purpleskiesforever]

Is there no way for the government to store rice in case there's ever a series of bad crop yields or, God forbid, war?

[@us.nyc.10011]

Villages disappearing, unable to change a flat tire. I see what's going on.

[@Thor110]

Humanity is suffering from a form of Stockholm syndrome caused by money, a competition based society can not last forever, the unending race for profits and the consistent fight to use less resources to do the same tasks leaves only one conclusion to be made, cooperation beats competition every time.

[@sjn0202]

But the land and homes are still expensive.

[@umbertoprunotto9683]

이탈리아에서는 1960~70년대 북부가 산업화되면서 사람들이 남부 농촌을 버리고 북부 대도시로 이주했다. 곧 북부 시골도 인구가 감소하기 시작했고 농부들은 더 이상 아내를 찾을 수 없었습니다. 남부 이탈리아 여성과 북부 이탈리아 농민 간의 만남을 장려하는 조직이 탄생했습니다. 일부 북부 지역은 고급 와인, 헤이즐넛, 치즈, 엑스트라 버진 올리브 오일, 과일 및 야채 생산을 전문으로 하면서 경제를 재개하기 시작했습니다. 또한, 농촌지역 인근에 농업 및 식품사업장을 설립하여 지역 농산물을 가공하고 있습니다.

[@bukhansan9483]

서울 토박이가 봐도 80년대에 비해 서울인구수가 줄었다고는 하나 과거와 실물적으로 변함 없고 경기도 인구가 서울보다 더욱 늘어나고 서울도 변함이 없어요

[@TheMusicalKnokcers]

That seems still better than the average rural village in france and many other places in the western world.

[@ods1123]

Do any of the universities have satellite campuses in the small areas?

[@Comeriokid]

Artist, Artist, Artist! Bring lots of young artist and artisans in these towns. They have no money and just want to work on their art. Artists bring small local galleries and cafe’s, these three bring people, tourists, and they open small shops. This is how most of the neighborhoods in NYC developed like SOHO and DUMBO.

[@MewDenise]

This why you don't build everything in one city.

[@dotdotdotdotdotdotdottod]

korean gov needs to stop requiring all the maijor jobs to be located in seoul i mean now with the internet it shouldent be hard to work outside of large citys. anoyher thing is small towns hardly iffer anything for the youth to enjoy

[@portalkey5283]

Sooo South Korea's rural areas are going the way of Japan's rural areas? Will they also eventually entertain the possibility of foreigners buying abandoned homes in the future?

[@Hgfsdfgvbnm]

Can’t you sell the rice to others countries??

[@mimisor66]

Probably could not get a good price. If the production cost is high...

[@maryalawrence8387]

Their rice and vegetables are expensive. A bag of rice, probably 5kg, could cost me around $26 Singapore. While the one from Thailand half of the price, so who gonna buy except Korean itself living in Singapore.

[@rakamu2940]

Probably also becos the type of rice. Their rice are more stickier than what we eat in southeast asia. We eat sticky rice only as kuih (dessert)

[@maryalawrence8387]

@rakamu2940 to be honest, I do like their rice, but way too expensive 😅.

[@rakamu2940]

@@maryalawrence8387 thats one of the reason. As for me n my friend, we have travelled to sabah n their rice a bit stickier. After a day eating their rice, the second day we dont eat rice anymore because it doesnt suit our palate. But then we keep on craving for our kind of white rice. Its funny becos we never think their rice different from ours since we all malaysian.

[@aoistone]

This abandonment of small towns is due to people's inherent greed for more money and laziness by taking the easiest way out. Only a legislative policy changes will cure this problem. Eventually, when it gets bad enough with no people working in labor-intensive industries like agriculture to produce food, policy changes will happen. People, will be coerced/forced to work in those fields. It's just too bad that our technological progress is so inversely proportional to people's capabilities. As more technology progresses, less capable people become, simply because people no longer do those activities. I remember growing up in the 1960s watching farmers planting rice by hand, and it seemed ok to me, they looked contend and happy. As the saying goes, "form follows function" and people now days do very little labor-intensive work. And it shows, I'm mostly repulsed by the people looks. Most people are so miss-happen, bloated faces, bulging fat protruding from all parts of their body. It's just gross. So come on people, let's get our looks back. Kick that god-damned machine aside and start enjoying our bodies again-huh?

[@y.ello._.w]

that paygap for women vs men is wild. no wonder people dont want to live at those areas, and participating in 4B movement. the government has to change for people to start wanting and being able to afford children.

[@MrJuulia01]

Also they lack hospitals in towns i heard, why dont the younger generation like rural areas? Also why do older ppl shame other humans for not being married or have kids

[@V__RR]

if Korea opened real estate to foreigners I would buy a house in those rural areas immediately! It looks so peaceful.

[@maalat]

The young women ask, “Where are the children?” But her parents are from there and she was interviewing an aging man who knows her parents!

[@sar983]

6:42 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂❤

[@blakespower]

funny how koreans look down on people that live in houses outside of cities. seems like a good place for foreigners to move!

[@TunogSunday]

Rich and Beautiful place but loneliness all around,

[@jonpaul3868]

See, they pic this in sunny bright days. As if the village is the best place to live on. What they don't show you is that how cold and dim these places in winter time😂. No wonder koreans are fleeing to Seoul😂

[@edc6774]

Beautiful docu.❤️

[@gavinlew8273]

What is beautiful program!

[@iheartacebear]

I think a lot of foreigners would love a countryside home. They should have some kind of program

[@watahheater23]

I want to create communities based upon my children. So be it, so shall be done.

[@MrMwurm]

It's a sad thing to see towns disappear, but this is a fact of life. People do what they wanna do instead of what they should do. Korea for one had a population boom, now though, it's settling into more reality. Already everyone is encouraged to go to collage just to get a sustainable job. So that means more people are strapped to a huge debt B4 they start working. I would say that work force agencies will need to command more control in the work force and what people make. The one gentleman who worked for ten years at the stall company and still for the same rate of pay, that would destabilize an economy if everyone had to do that. So these are some unstable business practices. However, prices are too high to start with. And husband's and wives should marry earlier and help but a house together. Rent is very wasteful as you pay so much for so little with no return on your investment. I bought two houses in 40 years. Have one to my step daughter, and my wife and I live in the other, and it's paid for. Sounds like there is way to much corruption in that apartment thing. But a house and save money. Kids should stay home and support their parents until marriage. Then husband and wife who each have a job, work to pay for your house together. My take, my rant. Serve the interests of the Lord who gave his life in our behalf to pay for our errors. Read God's word the holy Bible daily. Good health to you all.

[@AxionSmurf]

Dang, with all the old people working the farms, it sounds like there might be a food crisis in the future. Maybe a chip can be fabricated in Seoul that makes food for everyone. The 10GHz FoodChip.

[@binaryseraph855]

Sadly this is the case of strict immigration policies that span decades. Like Japan, the culture although beautiful is too homogenous and it's nearly impossible for any foreigner to "fit in" despite being fluent in the language, have stayed for many years, or even those who married in. Unfortunately, you can't just throw money at the problem either. Only new blood can reverse this trend at this point.

[@Leopold_van_Aubel]

Ew...foreigners

[@TunogSunday]

3.4 million won min wage for men, I worked there as alien worker( from philippines) and make money only more or less 1 million won a month salary,

[@sagadabeans]

Doesn't SK have great internet infrastructure? Why can't they promote remote work?

[@sjn0202]

Not much of a problem.

[@andrewdunbar828]

Wow - soundtrack?

[@saonbhattacharya8817]

I've been following your documentaries recently; very interesting insights for an Indian, because our problems are from the other side of the spectrum! Overpopulation being at the root of all our issues...

[@tindrums]

You are wrong. The fertility rate now is at equilibrium. If it drops population will decline.

[@MrMwurm]

At equilibrium, what does that even mean?

[@MrMwurm]

In economics In science In physics In biology Images Videos Shopping News Books Perspectives All filters 1. : a state of balance between opposing forces or actions that is either static (as in a body acted on by forces whose resultant is zero) or dynamic (as in a reversible chemical reaction when the velocities in both directions are equal) 2. : a state of intellectual or emotional balance.

[@ianhomerpura8937]

​@@MrMwurm number of people being born and dying are almost equal

[@tindrums]

@@MrMwurm Replishment rate. Which is 2 kids per woman.

[@LMBOatU]

How do we buy Danjin rice when we live overseas?

[@jinniwind]

From korean grocery stores. Otherwise it’s almost impossible to find korean rice overseas.

[@bayjustin3885]

Korea is no. 1 in having the least amount of kids in the world!! Schools are dwindling …. No one young lives in rural towns anymore because nothing is there. Everyone moves to the city, apartments prices are insane. Many want to go to the countryside but it’s hard to make money there. It’s crazy how no one has kids anymore … But household pets have increased … 😢 A lot of vets now … A lot of abandoned pets now …

[@gavinlew8273]

It's the same story everywhere. Everyone is moving into cities driving home prices up while small towns are slowly being abandoned. People attract people! Towns will never be as attractive as cities.

[@upthedown1]

Koreans in Korea are not having kids? Koreans in the U.S. have plenty!

[@AxionSmurf]

As a single man I've offered to help with the issue @@upthedown1

[@y_0_1_0]

This is a problem everywhere. Maybe a little more in developed/OECD countries. There's no solution for this problem as people don't want the same things as before and the industries won't change either. We already see the same issue with births. Other than goals or money, for most people, there's nothing else tying them down to a place and marriage gets in the way of those two. Previously religion and community were key factors, but those are long gone. This problem will get worse where cities grow rapidly unable to provide to basic needs and rest of the country will be deserted. There maybe small spikes of growth because of a new industry or just urban fatigue but the trend of depopulation of non cities will continue. This is not a new problem but an ancient one.

[@hedgemowerman]

This is true. My classes spent time in the small towns and there was very little

[@gamesong6600]

If population increases, situations will improve. A lot of space for very few people has its own problems. Socialism can also work in such places.

[@Singing-elephant]

Long workings hour, no sex .Materialistic, bread, clothes, milk, school fees, car payment and mortgage have changed the way we humans raise family. Most western countries cannot afford more than two child per household. Solution less workings hours government subsidies for parents with more than 2 children. Free higher education and financial support for 3rd children and on..

[@knowwhere4185]

u cant do much.....everyone wants to live at the centre of economy activities

[@jaimyrparra536]

That's a big problem where there are a lot of men and so few women and vice versa in complementing to population.

[@xxllxx222]

The ministry of justice should introduce a program for illegal migrants who are here in Korea to be given an amnesty of stay with conditions of filling the extincting areas.

[@Scho-penhauer]

I think most of those illegal immigrants ran away from those places at the beginning, working in agriculture and fishing.

[@이상호-p3c]

Nope. Encourage people to come legally, not illegally

[@AxionSmurf]

At 12:28 initially thought he might be peeing on the plants but it turned out to be a hose

[@Jmatad21]

is that south or north

[@in00n]

Obviously South Korea.

[@tanay1894]

1: 55 grabdmothers are like mine grandmothers like them this year they also asked me the same question Iam from india but grandmothers are same 😅😅😂

[@mimisor66]

The government needs to implement some better gender equality rules, in order to improve the ratio of men to women working in the area.

[@bluemoondiadochi]

it wont help, cause modern women simply dont want to marry low status men esp when coupled with loads of work and traditional gender role setting. it-s not just Korea, it-s all over the world. heck, at this point youd be better off saving North Korean girls from sex trafficking in China and introducing them to marry into these depopulated villages. they are used to tradition and hardship, and would likely view it as a great improvement over their previos and current situation.

[@banzaaiiiii]

modern women nowdays get jobs in major cities and when it's time for children they want

[@TempleofBrendaSong]

Meanwhile in North Korea 🇰🇵

[@amparofuentes6208]

Wow the harbour looks young for 80 years old. That is what country livingwill do for you. It's cleaner, safer and food is better.

[@pourquoipas971]

Nice soundtrack!

[@jamesalias595]

I don't know what stopped everyone from having children, it's not really the internet, but maybe when smartphones and social media apps came out people just hung out with their phones versus mating. No, it's not the economy, people were poor and had lots of kids. Oh well it is bad, can't fix it.

[@sagadabeans]

A big factor is the population and population density. Both are at unprecedented levels, making housing so expensive. Expensive housing discourages people from getting married and having children.

[@MiniM69]

And having kids in most places is very expensive! Better to not have them if you can’t support them.

[@blackjack9505]

Im willing to help 😅

[@suswsh07]

Half of the korea is empty.. no one live their..in small town and county side.. all 60+ people live there.. all school , colleges, restaurants, stores and even medical facilities in thoes town are closed.. very hard time for older people their.. young people want to live in cities and seol.. all because of westernisiation of society.. All want to look and live like western society... Which destroy the native culture.. Young people must go back to their roots..otherwise its end of korean society.

[@alaehvlogs5676]

Very nice…. Korean must follow their want… just enjoy.. don’t married and don’t have children…. Children is burden in KOREA… 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻