Two South Korean Mothers Are Awarded Civil Merit Medals For Birthing 13 Children Each
The awards come at a time when South Korea is grappling with a severe population decline.
In a ceremony that highlighted the importance of motherhood amid South Korea's declining birth rate, two women were awarded Civil Merit Medals for giving birth to 13 children each
The awards were presented by the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the 19th annual Pregnant Women's Day celebration on 10 October, held at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul.
The event, attended by 150 pregnant women and their families, aimed to raise awareness about the challenges of childbearing and celebrate those who contribute to South Korea's future through their families, reported The Korea Herald.
One of the recipients was Eom Gye-suk, who gave birth to five sons and eight daughters between 1986 and 2007
Eom, 60, was given the Seongnyu Medal, the fifth grade of the Order of Civil Merit, awarded for outstanding contributions to society in areas such as politics, economics, and education.
"After repeating pregnancy and childbirth for over 20 years, there were some difficulties, but thanks to my children who have grown up well, I think I have more happy moments than others," Eom said.
She has also been a vocal advocate for childbirth, using her platform to encourage women to embrace motherhood. In addition to giving lectures, Eom authored a book in 2011 about her family's experiences. Nine of her children are currently employed, with two attending college and two in high school.
The second honouree, Lee Yeong-mi, 59, was also awarded a Civil Merit Medal for her contributions to the nation through motherhood
Lee gave birth to her 13 children between the ages of 23 and 44. The most well-known of her children is actress Nam Bo-ra. The others include an artist, a bank employee, a researcher, and a dental hygienist, with the youngest still in middle school, reported The Straits Times.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lee highlighted the challenges of raising a large family in a rapidly changing society. She called for improvements in workplace policies to better support parents, particularly those who are self-employed or unable to take childcare leave.
"We desperately need a workplace culture where people can use childcare leave without worrying about what others think," she remarked.
Nam Bo-ra is a South Korean actress and daughter of Civil Merit Medal recipient Lee Yeong-mi.
Image via @nambora (Instagram)
These awards come at a time when South Korea is grappling with a severe population decline
The country's fertility rate hit a record low of 0.76 in early 2024, with projections predicting a further drop to 0.68 by year's end. In June, President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a "national emergency on population" and announced plans to expand financial support for newborns in a bid to reverse the declining birth trend.
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