Demand for 'Mirinae House' Grows Amid Housing Challenges for Newlyweds As high prices and rental shortages strain newlyweds, demand for Seoul's long-term rental housing program, 'Mirinae House,' is surging. The initiative allows for partial deposit payments, easing financial burdens and increasing accessibility to private brand apartments. From May 6 to 8, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) are recruiting residents for the seventh round of 'Mirinae House' (Long-term Rental Housing II), offering 441 units. This program targets newlyweds planning to have children, providing extended residency and home purchase opportunities for families that give birth after moving in. A notable feature of this recruitment is the 'deposit installment payment system.' Tenants can move in by paying only 70% of the rental deposit, deferring the remaining 30% until they vacate. For instance, in the Dongjak District's Hillstate Dongjak Signature, a 45-square-meter unit with a rental price of 469.56 million won requires an initial payment of 328.69 million won, with the remaining 140.86 million won deferred until departure. This translates to an annual interest burden of about 5.63 million won, or approximately 470,000 won monthly, based on a 4.0% interest rate. A Seoul official stated, "Due to loan restrictions and rising rental prices, many newlyweds have faced increased initial costs, leading to canceled applications or contracts. We introduced the deposit installment system to alleviate this burden." Previously, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon noted that competition for 'Mirinae House' had decreased due to lending restrictions and suggested easing these regulations for young people. This supply focuses on popular private brand apartments, including Hillstate Dongjak Signature, Boramae Station Precinct, and nearby complexes in Gangbuk District. Major brands like Raemian and Xi are also included, with most located within a five-minute walk from subway stations and rental prices set at about 80% of the market rate. Eligible applicants are households residing in Seoul without property as of the announcement date. Newlyweds must be within seven years of marriage, while prospective couples must provide proof of marriage before moving in. The income limit for dual-income households has been raised to 200% of the average monthly income for urban workers, and asset limits for families with children have also been increased. Benefits for families with children remain intact. Households with one child can reside for up to 20 years, while those with two or more children will have the right of first refusal to purchase the unit at the end of their residency. A Seoul official explained, "The right of first refusal will be based on approximately 80-90% of the market price after 20 years." These conditions align with current rental market trends, driving demand amid limited supply. Competition remains high, with application ratios for the first three rounds of 2024 at 59.8 to 1, 50.0 to 1, and 38.0 to 1, respectively. Last year's rounds recorded ratios of 64.8 to 1, 39.7 to 1, and 69.7 to 1, with the highest competition reaching 759 to 1 for a 59-square-meter unit in Guro District during the fourth round. Seoul plans to expand the annual supply of 'Mirinae House' to 4,000 units this year. Following this offering of over 440 units, an additional 1,000 units will be announced in July, along with approximately 300 general housing units in villa and officetel formats later in the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:38:07

CJ OnStyle Reports Q1 Operating Profit of 23.9 Billion Won Amid Mobile Investment CJ OnStyle's operating profit fell to 23.9 billion won in the first quarter of this year, a 7.6% decrease from the same period last year, due to increased investments aimed at enhancing mobile competitiveness. However, the company reported a 4.5% rise in revenue to 378.5 billion won, driven by a significant increase in mobile live commerce and improved app user metrics.Mobile live commerce sales surged by 137% year-on-year, fueled by content expansion through short-form videos and influencers, which boosted traffic. Additionally, new customer acquisition led to an 11.8% increase in app installations and monthly active users (MAU) compared to the previous year.Looking ahead, CJ OnStyle plans to continue its growth trajectory in the second quarter by expanding its fandom intellectual property (IP) and enhancing the competitiveness of premium products. Collaborations with external IPs, including the KBO and the film 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' are part of this strategy. A company representative stated, "We aim to rapidly expand our fandom customer base through major external IP collaborations while simultaneously increasing customer acquisition and retention through enhanced premium product sourcing."The company will also maintain its investment in AI-driven content to bolster its short-form commerce capabilities and expand influencer commerce, ensuring continued growth in mobile live commerce.In addition, CJ OnStyle is committed to nurturing small brands, having recently selected 30 brands through its '2026 CJ On-Cubating' initiative. The company plans to provide phased support in marketing, research and development, and mobile live commerce to these brands by the end of the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:35:47

Trump's Upcoming Visit to China Highlights AI Crisis Management Talks As the competition for artificial intelligence (AI) supremacy intensifies between the U.S. and China, the upcoming U.S.-China summit is expected to focus on AI issues. The Wall Street Journal reported that both nations are considering establishing official communication channels to prevent the AI rivalry from escalating into an uncontrollable crisis.According to the report, discussions are underway to include AI topics in the agenda for the summit during President Donald Trump's visit to China on May 14-15. Currently, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Vessen is overseeing the AI negotiations, while China has yet to confirm its official counterpart. However, Deputy Finance Minister Liao Min is reportedly involved in the discussions.With the intensifying AI competition, both countries are exploring ways to manage risks associated with unexpected AI malfunctions, autonomous military systems, and the misuse of open-source AI by non-state actors. There are even talks about the long-term possibility of establishing an AI hotline.If an official dialogue channel on AI is launched, it would mark the first U.S.-China AI discussions since the Trump administration began. The WSJ noted that both nations recognize that a fierce competition in AI development could lead to a crisis neither can handle.On May 4, President Trump emphasized the importance of leading in AI, stating, "AI is an enormous industry, and we want to stay ahead of China."However, Time magazine reported on May 7 that the Trump administration has viewed AI more as a strategic advantage than a risk, suggesting that substantial cooperation on risk management may be challenging.AI discussions between the U.S. and China began during the Biden administration. At a summit in November 2024, former President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that the decision-making authority for nuclear weapons should remain with humans, not AI. Nonetheless, the WSJ pointed out that progress has been limited as China has led these discussions through its foreign ministry rather than specialized agencies like the Ministry of Science and Technology.As Trump's visit approaches, China has not officially announced the schedule but maintains that it is in communication with the U.S. On May 7, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated during a regular briefing that both sides are keeping in touch regarding the visit.Ahead of the trip, photos of Trump's armored vehicle and accompanying security equipment have surfaced online, with reports indicating sightings near Beijing's airport and highways. According to the Hong Kong Ming Pao, vehicles identified as the "Beast," Trump's armored limousine, and large SUVs expected to be used for security were spotted, reportedly brought in via a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:33:57

Trump Hints at Ending Iran Conflict Before China Visit President Donald Trump indicated the possibility of concluding peace negotiations with Iran ahead of his upcoming visit to China. However, significant differences remain on key issues such as Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the timeline for a potential agreement uncertain. On May 6, during a White House event, Trump told reporters, "Iran cannot and will not have nuclear weapons," adding that they have agreed on several points. He noted, "We had very good discussions with Iran over the last 24 hours, and the chances of an agreement are very high." Reports from CNN and Axios suggest that the U.S. and Iran are discussing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities. The one-page MOU reportedly includes a temporary halt to Iran's nuclear enrichment, the lifting of U.S. sanctions, and a gradual easing of maritime blockades. In an interview with PBS, Trump mentioned that the agreement would likely involve the transfer of Iran's enriched uranium to the U.S. and a halt to operations at Iran's underground nuclear facilities. He expressed optimism about reaching an agreement before his trip to China on May 14-15, stating, "It is possible that we will have an agreement before I leave for China." Axios reported that the White House hopes to finalize negotiations with Iran before Trump's visit. Fox News anchor Bret Baier noted that Trump anticipated a week to reach an agreement, reflecting a cautious optimism. Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, remarked that Trump has a strong incentive to conclude the conflict before his China visit. He warned that if the war continues, Trump may find himself seeking Xi Jinping's help to persuade Iran to accept U.S. conditions. Iran: 'Just a U.S. wishful thinking' Despite Trump's emphasis on progress, he warned that if Iran does not agree, military action would resume. On social media platform Truth Social, he stated, "If they do not agree, bombing will start, and sadly, it will be at a much higher level and intensity than before." Additionally, the U.S. continues to maintain its maritime blockade against Iran despite the ongoing peace negotiations. The U.S. Central Command reported enforcing a blockade on the oil tanker Hasna, which was heading to an Iranian port. Iran remains defiant, having implemented new maritime regulations requiring all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz to obtain prior permission. This raises questions about whether key issues like the reopening of the Strait and the nuclear program can be resolved even if negotiations resume. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ebrahim Raisi, spokesperson for Iran's National Security Committee, dismissed reports of nearing an agreement, stating that U.S. hopes for a swift resolution are unrealistic. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, also denied claims of progress in negotiations. Grant Rumley, a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, noted that while the Trump administration believes a peace agreement is possible, history shows that negotiations often collapse at the last minute for various reasons.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:31:57

Constitutional Amendment Vote Fails Due to Opposition Party's Absence On May 7, a proposed constitutional amendment was presented to the National Assembly, but the vote was invalidated due to the absence of the People Power Party (PPP). Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik and the ruling Democratic Party plan to reconvene on May 8 to reintroduce the amendment. During the session, only 178 lawmakers participated in the vote, failing to meet the quorum. The amendment aims to enshrine the democratic ideals of the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising and the May 18 Democratic Movement in the preamble of the constitution. It also stipulates that the president must obtain National Assembly approval within 48 hours of declaring martial law; otherwise, the martial law will be immediately revoked. Additionally, it seeks to clarify the government's obligation for balanced regional development and change the constitution's title from Hanja to Hangul. Woo Won-sik stated that the amendment addresses gaps in the constitution revealed during the December 3 martial law, emphasizing the need for constitutional safeguards to prevent future misfortunes. The PPP, which has opposed the amendment as a party line, chose not to participate in the vote, effectively blocking its passage. A two-thirds majority of the National Assembly is required for the amendment to pass, and with all 106 PPP members absent, the vote could not proceed. Instead of voting, all PPP lawmakers issued a statement during a party meeting outlining five principles for constitutional reform: enhancing the spirit of the constitution, a well-defined preamble, citizen participation, bipartisan cooperation, and a calm approach during non-election periods. In response, Chun Jun-ho, a senior Democratic Party official, criticized the PPP's absence as a defense of illegal martial law, calling it a betrayal of the public's will to uphold democracy. After encouraging the PPP to participate, Woo declared the vote invalid at 4:04 PM. He announced that the assembly would reconvene on May 8 at 2 PM to reintroduce the amendment. To hold a public referendum alongside the June 3 local elections, the amendment must pass by May 10.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:29:58

Hanyuwon Achieves Zero Penalty for Second Consecutive Year in Public Disclosure The Korea Small and Medium Enterprises Distribution Agency has demonstrated transparent management by achieving zero penalties for two consecutive years in public institution disclosure checks. According to Hanyuwon, the Ministry of Economy and Finance conducts annual evaluations of public institution management information disclosed through the Alio system to ensure accuracy and reliability. In 2025, Hanyuwon was evaluated alongside 317 mandatory disclosure institutions across 20 categories, including new hires, executive salaries, and employee benefits, and reported no inaccuracies or omissions. To be recognized as an improved disclosure institution, an organization must reduce its penalties by over 50% for two consecutive years. A Hanyuwon representative stated, "We reduced our penalties by more than 50% in 2023 and 2024, achieving zero penalties in 2024 and 2025, which led to our selection as an excellent disclosure institution." Hanyuwon is expected to receive incentives such as exemption from future disclosure checks and preferential treatment in management evaluations. Hanyuwon CEO Lee Tae-sik remarked, "We will not rest on our laurels from this recognition but will continue to provide transparent management information that the public can trust, fulfilling our social responsibility as a public institution supporting the market access of small and medium enterprises and small business owners."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:28:19

GS Retail Reports 39% Increase in Q1 Operating Profit Driven by Convenience Stores and Supermarkets GS Retail reported a 39.4% increase in operating profit for the first quarter of this year, reaching 58.3 billion won, thanks to strong performance in its convenience stores, supermarkets, and home shopping sectors. The company attributed this growth to the expansion of GS25 stores focusing on fresh products, the opening of GS The Fresh franchises, and the rise of GS Shop's private label products.During the same period, sales rose by 3.8% to 2.85 trillion won. GS25 convenience stores generated sales of 2.06 trillion won and operating profit of 21.3 billion won, marking increases of 3.7% and 23.8%, respectively, compared to the previous year. GS Retail noted that its strategy of enhancing fresh product offerings and its scrap-and-build approach—expanding existing stores or relocating to prime locations—contributed to these results.The performance of fresh-focused stores was particularly notable, with average daily sales 1.6 times higher than regular stores. Additionally, the increase in foreign tourists positively impacted convenience store sales, with foreign revenue at GS25 soaring by 73% year-on-year.GS The Fresh supermarkets benefited from a franchise-centered expansion strategy, increasing their store count to 589. Sales reached 453.4 billion won, up 9%, while operating profit surged by 55.1% to 12.1 billion won. A GS Retail representative stated, "The synergy from expanding franchise operations and leveraging supermarket stores for quick commerce has been effective."Home shopping segment GS Shop also saw improved profitability, with first-quarter sales of 262 billion won, a 1.6% increase, and operating profit of 29.7 billion won, up 32.6%. The introduction of new and exclusive products in key categories like fashion, beauty, health, and food contributed to this growth.In the first quarter, GS Shop launched 141 new products, an increase of 36 from the previous year. The success of its in-house fashion brands, such as Core Authentic and Rene Crew, also helped boost fashion sales by 7% year-on-year.A GS Retail representative remarked, "Our efforts to strengthen core business foundations have led to these strong first-quarter results. We will continue to enhance our business structure for stable long-term growth."Meanwhile, GS Retail CEO Heo Seo-hong emphasized at the March shareholders' meeting the commitment to expanding investments in artificial intelligence and digital tools to enhance operational competitiveness.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 21:15:00

Japan leads Asia rally, KOSPI hits new high SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - Japan led a broad rally across Asian markets on Thursday, with the Nikkei 225 surging to a fresh all-time high as easing oil prices, renewed optimism over a possible U.S.-Iran agreement and another global surge in AI-linked semiconductor shares fueled aggressive buying across the region. The Nikkei 225 jumped 5.6 percent to close at a record 62,833.8, while the broader TOPIX gained 3.4 percent after Japanese markets reopened following an extended holiday break. The Nikkei had last closed at 59,513.1 on May 1 before the holiday period and has since surged 3,320.7 points through Thursday’s close. Technology shares led the advance, with SoftBank Group soaring more than 16 percent as investor appetite for AI-related stocks intensified after another powerful overnight rally on Wall Street. The rally extended a global semiconductor surge after AMD reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, with operating income jumping about 83 percent from a year earlier while revenue climbed nearly 38 percent. The results sent AMD shares up 18 percent overnight, lifting the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index 4.5 percent. The Nasdaq rose 2.0 percent, while the S&P 500 advanced 1.5 percent to another record close. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also gained 1.2 percent. Investor sentiment further improved after reports suggested the United States and Iran were moving closer to a broader de-escalation framework in the Middle East. Brent crude fell another 2.9 percent to $98.3 a barrel, extending the previous session’s sharp decline, while West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 2.6 percent to $92.6. Lower oil prices helped ease inflation concerns and boosted appetite for risk assets across Asia. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI also hit another record high, though gains were more moderate compared with Japan’s explosive rally. The index closed up 1.4 percent at 7,490.1 after moving between an intraday low of 7,257.9 and a record high of 7,531.9. Foreign investors sold a net 7.15 trillion won ($4.94 billion) worth of KOSPI shares, while retail and institutional investors bought 5.99 trillion won and 1.10 trillion won, respectively, indicating that local buying continued to absorb heavy offshore profit-taking following the market’s recent surge. Samsung Electronics rose 2.1 percent to close at 271,500 won after hitting a record high of 277,000 won during the session, while SK hynix climbed 3.3 percent to 1,654,000 won as semiconductor shares continued to dominate market momentum. Hyundai Motor advanced 4.0 percent to 572,000 won. Among other notable gainers, Samsung E&A surged 21.5 percent to 64,400 won, GS Engineering & Construction rose 11.0 percent to 39,350 won and SKC gained 8.0 percent to 174,100 won. Defense and infrastructure-related stocks, however, saw sharp profit-taking after recent rallies. Hyundai Rotem plunged 10.3 percent to 235,000 won, LIG Defense & Aerospace dropped 11.5 percent to 866,000 won and Taihan Cable & Solution fell 7.4 percent to 64,100 won. Platform and telecom shares also weakened despite solid earnings releases. SK Telecom fell 2.4 percent to 93,200 won, LG Uplus slipped 0.2 percent to 15,370 won and Kakao declined 2.3 percent to 45,250 won. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ underperformed broader markets, falling 0.9 percent to close at 1,199.2 after fluctuating between 1,196.6 and 1,219.6 during the session. Foreign investors bought 175.7 billion won worth of KOSDAQ shares, while institutions and retail investors sold 135.0 billion won and 12.4 billion won, respectively. Among KOSDAQ-listed names, Daehan Optical Communication jumped 19.3 percent to 21,800 won. Kolon Tujin rose 10.6 percent to 114,600 won, Jusung Engineering gained 5.9 percent to 135,100 won, Seojin System surged 14.5 percent to 68,100 won, Simtech advanced 13.5 percent to 106,500 won and Eugene Technology climbed 5.9 percent to 146,900 won. The Korean won strengthened slightly, with the local currency rising 0.1 percent to 1,447.7 per dollar. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.5 percent to 4,178.9, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 1.5 percent to 26,617.1 in afternoon trading, supported by gains in technology shares and renewed expectations for deeper AI cooperation discussions between the United States and China ahead of a possible Trump-Xi summit. The sharp divergence between Korea’s largest AI-linked stocks and the broader market has continued to widen. According to Bloomberg data, the total market capitalization of Korea-listed companies has surged 71 percent this year to $4.59 trillion, overtaking Canada’s roughly $4.5 trillion equity market. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have both more than doubled this year as investor demand for AI chip leaders intensified. 2026-05-07 18:06:28

Hanwha Group moves to bring aerospace under its defense arm SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - Defense-heavy Hanwha Group has climbed to No. 5 in South Korea’s latest conglomerate rankings by the Fair Trade Commission, and it appears to be aiming to go literally higher by bringing aircraft and rocket manufacturing business back into the family. The group has recently secured more than a 5 percent stake in Korea Aerospace Industries, the country's aircraft-making monopoly, for the stated purpose of “management participation,” signaling that its long-rumored ambition to build a “Korean Lockheed Martin” is moving into clearer view. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems recently purchased additional KAI shares on the open market, raising their combined stake to 5.09 percent. The group is reportedly planning to invest an additional 500 billion won ($345 million) by the end of this year to lift its holdings further to 6.43 percent. The move marks Hanwha’s return to possible management involvement in KAI roughly eight years after it sold its entire stake in 2018 to improve its financial structure. Hanwha had quietly re-entered KAI’s shareholder base in March with a 4.99 percent stake, deliberately stopping just below the disclosure threshold that would have triggered stricter reporting requirements and intensified takeover speculation. By crossing the 5 percent threshold, Hanwha has effectively shown its hand and will to bring KAI back home to complete its broader aerospace and defense ambitions. KAI is de facto state-owned with the Export-Import Bank of Korea holding the largest 26.41 percent stake, followed by the National Pension Service with roughly 8 percent. Hanwha would become the largest non-public shareholder in KAI once stake purchase is completed. Hanwha itself has openly acknowledged the possibility of pursuing a larger role. “If discussions on a government-led privatization of KAI become public, we plan to review whether to pursue an acquisition or integration in line with the government’s policy direction,” the group said. Hanwha’s ties with KAI date back to 2015, when it acquired Samsung Techwin, now Hanwha Aerospace, and inherited Samsung Group’s roughly 10 percent stake in KAI. But the group sold the entire holding in 2018 as part of efforts to shore up its balance sheet. Speculation over a renewed KAI bid intensified after Hanwha acquired Hanwha Ocean, formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, in 2023, strengthening its ambition to build an integrated defense structure spanning land, sea, air and space. Since then, Hanwha has repeatedly emerged as the leading candidate whenever discussions resurfaced over the possible sale of the Export-Import Bank’s KAI stake. Industry watchers also point to significant technological synergies. Hanwha Aerospace has strengths in fighter jet engines and space launch vehicles, while KAI specializes in aircraft manufacturing, satellite platforms and systems integration. A combination of the two could create South Korea’s first vertically integrated aerospace champion with the scale to compete more directly against global defense giants such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing. “Hanwha’s grand ambition is ultimately to create Korea’s Lockheed Martin,” said Kim Houng-yu. “KAI could become a key pillar in completing that vision.” The push is also viewed as a strategic investment in the emerging “new space” economy, where private companies are taking increasingly central roles in satellite development, launch systems and defense-related aerospace technologies. Still, major obstacles remain before any actual takeover could materialize. The most immediate issue is likely to be monopoly scrutiny. If Hanwha acquires KAI, the group would effectively control both fighter aircraft manufacturing and engine supply, a structure that could face close examination from the Fair Trade Commission. Concerns over privatizing a strategically sensitive defense company, potential clashes in corporate culture and labor union opposition are also viewed as major hurdles. “Defense is a special market, unlike ordinary industries, so the government could play some role in adjusting monopoly-related concerns,” Kim said. “Conditions could be attached during the acquisition process.” Another defense industry expert argued that the emergence of a Korean version of Lockheed Martin could ultimately strengthen South Korea’s global competitiveness. “South Korea still does not have a comprehensive defense company that covers everything from ground weapons and missiles to advanced weapons systems and aircraft platforms,” the expert said. “Rather than looking only at domestic competition, it could be positive to have a defense-specialized group like Korea’s Lockheed Martin when considering global competitiveness.” Hanwha’s latest stake expansion also reflects how Chairman Kim Seung-youn’s aggressive mergers, acquisitions and restructuring efforts are increasingly translating into stronger profitability rather than simply a larger corporate footprint. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, Hanwha Corp. posted 189.5 billion won in first-quarter operating profit on a standalone basis, up 24.8 percent from a year earlier, driven by improved operational efficiency and dividend income from key affiliates. Core defense affiliates also posted strong results. Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean recorded first-quarter operating profit increases of 20.6 percent and 70.6 percent, respectively, as exports of K9 self-propelled howitzers and Chunmoo multiple rocket launch systems expanded amid rising global defense demand following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing instability in the Middle East. Buoyed by growing confidence on land and at sea, Hanwha is now looking higher – toward aerospace. 2026-05-07 17:59:48

Singles' childbirth intentions rise above 40% in South Korea SEOUL, May 7 (AJP) - Four out of 10 South Korean adults viewed having children positively, a recent survey showed, adding to signs of a gradual demographic rebound in a country long plagued by the world's lowest birth rate. The fifth nationwide survey on perceptions of marriage, childbirth and parenting, conducted by the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy (PCASPP), found increasingly positive attitudes toward family formation among adults aged 25 to 49. The survey, conducted twice a year using the same questionnaire for 2,800 respondents, showed that 76.4 percent viewed marriage positively, continuing an upward trend since the first survey in 2024. Among unmarried respondents, positive perceptions of marriage rose to 65.7 percent, up from 55.9 percent two years earlier. Willingness to marry also increased by 6.4 percentage points to 67.4 percent. Attitudes toward having children likewise improved, with 71.6 percent of respondents saying children are necessary, up 10.5 percentage points from the first survey. Among respondents without children, willingness to have children rose to 41.8 percent from 32.6 percent. The committee highlighted the particularly sharp shift among unmarried adults, noting that both perceptions about the importance of having children and willingness to become parents increased by more than 10 percentage points over the past two years. The survey also indicated that economic pressures and workplace culture remain major barriers to marriage and child-rearing. When asked what was most important in addressing the country's low birthrate, 83.9 percent of respondents cited the need for stable, well-paying jobs. Dual-income households said the most urgent need was a workplace culture that supports employees in using childcare benefits, along with broader access to institutional childcare services and guaranteed care hours, including extended daycare and expanded after-school programs. Respondents also emphasized the need for greater flexibility in balancing work and family responsibilities. Support for flexible working arrangements was particularly strong among women, at 68.6 percent, compared with 53.1 percent among men. Participants also called for expanded financial support for married couples and families with children, with 51.3 percent favoring broader tax benefits. Support was higher among men at 56.5 percent, compared with 45.8 percent among women. On housing policy, lowering income thresholds for government-backed home purchase loans and lump-sum rental deposit loan programs was the most commonly cited measure, supported by 45.3 percent of respondents. The survey also found generally high satisfaction with childcare services, with more than 80 percent of respondents expressing positive views. Families with infants and toddlers prioritized longer childcare hours, while households with elementary school children placed greater emphasis on improving program quality. 2026-05-07 17:57:06