Kim Jong Un Appeals for Higher Birth Rate in Emotional Speech

North Korean Leader Cries During Plea to Reverse Declining Fertility Rate

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made an emotional appeal to women in his country to have more children, in an effort to reverse a declining birth rate.
Kim Jong Un was seen crying during his speech at a National Mothers Meeting, where he emphasized the importance of increasing the population to strengthen national power.
North Korea's fertility rate has been steadily declining over the past decade, with the average number of children born to a North Korean woman standing at 1.8 as of 2023.
Kim Jong Un's plea comes amid concerns over the country's economic outlook and the potential impact of a shrinking labor force.
Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, North Korea has introduced benefits for families with three or more children, including free housing, food, medicine, and educational incentives.