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  • Industrial Electricity Rates to Vary by Region, Southern Areas to See Up to 18 Won Reduction
    Industrial Electricity Rates to Vary by Region, Southern Areas to See Up to 18 Won Reduction The government is moving forward with a plan to implement differentiated industrial electricity rates based on regional power supply conditions. The aim is to lower electricity rates in non-metropolitan areas, where power generation is abundant, to encourage businesses to invest in these regions and alleviate the concentration of power demand in the metropolitan area.◆Regional Differentiation in Industrial Electricity Rates to Encourage Business RelocationOn August 26, the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment and Korea Electric Power Corporation held a public hearing at the KEPCO Southern Seoul Headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to unveil the design plan for the 'Industrial Regional Electricity Rate System.'This regional electricity rate system is based on the 'Special Act on the Activation of Distributed Energy,' which will take effect in June 2024, approximately two years and two months after its enactment. The government has developed a detailed system design plan following expert research, internal reviews, and consultations with industry and experts.The core of this reform is to introduce regional differences in industrial electricity rates, which have been uniformly applied nationwide. A new 'regional adjustment fee' will be established alongside the current basic and energy charges, allowing for lower electricity rates in areas with abundant power supply.The government aims to create a 'local production, local consumption' electricity system, where consumption increases in regions that generate power. By lowering electricity rates in regions with relatively high power supply capacity, the government believes it can encourage businesses with high electricity consumption to relocate or invest in production facilities outside the metropolitan area.◆Southern Region to Maintain Current Rates, with Reductions of Up to 18 WonThe country will be divided into 11 regions based on power system conditions and balanced development factors.Initially, the country will be categorized into four metropolitan areas: southern metropolitan, northern metropolitan, central, and southern regions, considering power flow, transmission congestion, and consumption structure. The final regions will be determined by combining these four areas with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's regional preference index and industrial crisis areas, reflecting the economic conditions of each region.Jeju will be excluded from this system due to its geographical characteristics as an island and its unique power supply conditions.Regional electricity rates will be calculated based on transmission network usage costs, power self-sufficiency rates, and balanced development factors. The rates will reflect regional transmission costs and self-sufficiency rates, as well as local economic conditions through the regional preference index.As a result, industrial electricity rates in the southern metropolitan area, where power demand is concentrated, are expected to remain at current levels or be adjusted by around 1 won per kWh. In the northern metropolitan area, which includes Incheon, rates may decrease by about 10 won, while the central region, which includes Gangwon and Chungcheong, could see reductions of about 15 won. The southern region, which has a relatively high concentration of nuclear and renewable energy facilities, is expected to see reductions of up to 18 won.Considering that the average selling price of industrial electricity was 181.9 won per kWh last year, the maximum reduction in the southern region is projected to be about 10% of the average selling price.◆Industrial Electricity Costs to Decrease by 2.8 Trillion Won, Government Aims for Implementation This YearIf implemented, the government estimates that the overall industrial electricity costs for businesses will decrease by approximately 2.8 trillion won. However, the actual reduction may vary depending on the final regional classifications and detailed rate calculations.A key challenge will be how to mitigate KEPCO's financial burden resulting from the significant rate reductions. The government plans to introduce regional pricing in the wholesale electricity market, where power generation companies and KEPCO trade, and to provide financial support to minimize KEPCO's burden.With the introduction of regional pricing in the wholesale market, there will also be differences in electricity trading prices between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. This aims to provide price signals to power generation companies based on regional power supply conditions, encouraging not only the distribution of power demand but also the dispersion of generation facilities.The government expects that the regional electricity rate system will serve as a means to promote business relocation and new investments in non-metropolitan areas. In particular, expanding investments in high-energy-consuming advanced industries outside the metropolitan area is anticipated to contribute to job creation and the strengthening of industrial foundations in those regions.Companies already operating in local areas are also expected to benefit from direct cost savings. If the reduction in electricity rates leads to lower production costs, it could enhance the price competitiveness of export-oriented manufacturing companies.From a power policy perspective, this is expected to alleviate the burden of constructing large-scale transmission networks needed to send electricity to the metropolitan area. Increasing power consumption in regions with concentrated generation facilities could reduce the demand for long-distance transmission.The government and KEPCO plan to finalize the detailed design plan after gathering opinions from the industry, power generation companies, local governments, and experts during the public hearing. Following this, they will proceed with related notifications and amendments to electricity rate terms, aiming for implementation within the year.Minister of Climate Energy and Environment Kim Seong-hwan stated, "The introduction of the industrial regional electricity rate system will attract investments in energy-intensive industries outside the metropolitan area, fundamentally reducing the burden of constructing the national transmission network and enhancing national balanced development and the long-term competitiveness of our industries."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 13:04:00
  • Suspect in Murder of Chinese Student Allegedly Disposed of Victims Body
    Suspect in Murder of Chinese Student Allegedly Disposed of Victim's Body A suspect in the murder of a 25-year-old Chinese female student in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, has been arrested and is believed to have dismembered and disposed of parts of the victim's body.According to Yonhap News on August 26, the Gyeongsan police are searching for parts of the victim's body, which they suspect were discarded at a local waste incineration facility.Police confirmed that the suspect, identified as Jeong (in his 30s), was seen entering his residence with the victim around 2 a.m. on August 20, as captured by closed-circuit television (CCTV).There is no evidence that Jeong forcibly dragged the victim into his home at that time.It is understood that the victim last communicated with her family via social media around this time.Later that day, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Jeong was seen leaving his residence alone, wearing women's clothing and concealing his face with a hat.Police stated, "The clothing Jeong wore at that time is believed to belong to the victim, but it was not what she was wearing when she entered his residence."Following this, Jeong traveled to Dongdaegu Station, where he reportedly turned off the victim's mobile phone near the station. He then changed into men's clothing in a nearby restroom and returned to his residence, where he reported the victim missing to the police at 7:05 p.m. on August 21.A police official noted, "Considering that Jeong misled authorities in the early stages of the investigation, we plan to apply charges of obstructing official duties against him."Police began a face-to-face investigation with Jeong at 9 a.m. on the same day and plan to request a warrant for his arrest by 7:30 a.m. on August 27.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 13:00:00
  • Jung Kyung-tae Accepts Disciplinary Action, Focuses on Constituents
    Jung Kyung-tae Accepts Disciplinary Action, Focuses on Constituents Jung Kyung-tae, a member of the People Power Party, has announced that he will accept a disciplinary action that suspends his party membership for two years and six months.On August 26, Jung stated on his Facebook page, "I will accept the disciplinary action from the Ethics Committee of the People Power Party," adding, "I will not take the party's issues to court, nor will I request a retrial."He expressed that he believes the disciplinary action is very unfair, but emphasized, "Politics should be resolved through political means. I have always upheld this belief and conviction in my legislative activities."Jung further stated, "The choices that follow are in the hands of the people and the great residents of Saha-gu," promising, "I will do my utmost for my responsibilities to the people and the residents of Saha-gu who have granted me the honor of serving six terms. I will focus solely on the people and the residents of Saha-gu and dedicate myself to legislative activities and people's politics."Jung faced disciplinary action after he requested lawmakers from other parties to support the defeat of his rival, Park Deok-heum, during the internal election for the vice chair of the National Assembly. In response, Jung argued that his actions were to uphold his conscience, beliefs, and democracy as a member of the National Assembly. However, the Ethics Committee determined that the issues raised during the clarification process were not resolved, leading to the decision on August 20 to suspend his party membership for two years and six months.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 12:24:00
  • South Korea scrambles fighters as Russian military aircraft enter KADIZ
    South Korea scrambles fighters as Russian military aircraft enter KADIZ SEOUL, August 26 (AJP) - South Korea scrambled fighter jets after several Russian military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone over the East Sea without prior notice, the military said Wednesday, marking the latest such flight by Russian aircraft near the Korean Peninsula. Several Russian military aircraft entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Tuesday before exiting the area, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The aircraft were flying northwest over the East Sea when they entered the KADIZ near Ulleung Island and Dokdo, South Korea’s easternmost islets, according to military officials. No violation of South Korean airspace was reported. “Our military detected the Russian military aircraft before they entered the KADIZ and deployed Air Force fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies,” the JCS said. An air defense identification zone is an area established beyond a country’s territorial airspace to allow military authorities to identify and monitor aircraft approaching its territory. Unlike sovereign airspace, entering an ADIZ does not in itself constitute a violation of a country’s territory. South Korea requires aircraft entering the KADIZ to file flight plans, maintain communications with relevant authorities and report their positions. Russia, however, has long rejected South Korea’s authority over the KADIZ, arguing that such zones have no explicit basis in international law. The Russian Defense Ministry made its position explicit in 2019, saying that air defense identification zones are “not envisioned by international rules” and therefore are not recognized by Russia. Moscow said at the time that it had repeatedly conveyed that position to Seoul through various channels. Russia has consequently maintained that its military aircraft are entitled to fly through portions of the KADIZ that lie over international waters without seeking South Korean authorization, as long as they do not enter South Korea’s sovereign airspace. That position has repeatedly put Moscow at odds with Seoul, which treats unannounced entries by foreign military aircraft as a potential security risk and routinely scrambles fighters to identify and monitor them. The latest incident follows a similar entry on June 27, when nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered the KADIZ over the East and South seas during joint air drills between the two countries. AJP Takeaways · South Korea scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft entered the KADIZ over the East Sea. · Russia does not recognize South Korea’s authority over the KADIZ, citing international law. · The incident follows a June entry by Chinese and Russian military aircraft during joint air drills. 2026-08-26 12:18:09
  • Oh Se-hoon Proposes 1.2-Fold Increase in Redevelopment Floor Area Ratio
    Oh Se-hoon Proposes 1.2-Fold Increase in Redevelopment Floor Area Ratio The Seoul city government projects that if the floor area ratio regulations for redevelopment projects are relaxed by 1.2 times, the number of new housing units in the city could increase from 87,000 to 130,000 by 2031. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced on August 26, following a second meeting with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok, that the ministry has agreed to positively consider the proposal to relax the redevelopment floor area ratio. Previously, the city had suggested relaxing these regulations to expand housing supply through redevelopment projects. Mayor Oh stated, "The proposed increase in new housing units by 2031 is 87,000, and if we raise the floor area ratio by 1.2 times, an additional 43,000 units could be added, bringing the total to 130,000 units." Seoul believes that the additional 43,000 units made possible by the floor area ratio relaxation would have a greater supply impact than housing developments in specific areas like Yongsan Park or Tancheon. Oh explained, "This would yield more units than the discussions about building in Yongsan and Tancheon, leading to a significant increase in new housing supply." However, for the relaxation of the floor area ratio to translate into actual housing supply, further discussions on specific conditions, such as the proportion of rental housing, are necessary. Mayor Oh noted, "We need to negotiate ways to secure a certain level of rental housing in exchange for increasing the floor area ratio." He added, "The potential for a significant increase in new housing units could lead to the most productive and visible outcomes from negotiations between the city and the ministry. I believe it is a positive direction for the government to consider this proactively." Previously, the city maintained its stance that it could not accept any damage to the main body of Yongsan Park for housing supply and proposed alternative sites such as the Tancheon Water Reclamation Center and youth industrial complexes. If the relaxation of the floor area ratio is realized, it could significantly increase housing supply in the city center without utilizing large-scale separate sites, potentially introducing new variables into the housing supply negotiations between the government and Seoul.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 12:08:00
  • Seoul to Offer Free School Commute Notification Service for 320,000 Elementary Students
    Seoul to Offer Free School Commute Notification Service for 320,000 Elementary Students Starting in September, a free 'commute notification service' will be implemented for all elementary school students in Seoul. This service, which previously varied by school and required parents to pay fees, will now be expanded into a universal public safety net covering all grades in the city’s elementary schools.The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced on August 26 that it will fully support the commute notification service for approximately 320,000 students across 607 public and private elementary schools starting in the new school year.The service automatically recognizes students' commute information through devices they carry and relay systems installed at school entrances, sending real-time updates to parents via text messages or smartphone app notifications.As of December 2025, 429 out of 606 elementary schools in Seoul (70.8%) were operating their own notification services, but most required parents to pay monthly fees ranging from 2,200 to 3,300 won. This led to disparities in service access and financial burdens among families.This initiative is a follow-up to the joint 'Comprehensive Measures for Ensuring Children's Safety on Their Commute' and is a key promise of Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik regarding safety. The education office has secured approximately 900 million won in special disaster management funds from the Ministry of Education to cover the service fees and costs for backup devices.Support for the policy among parents and citizens is overwhelming. A survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in late April, which included 4,802 participants, found that 96.9% (4,653 respondents) supported the full free provision of the commute notification service.The most anticipated benefit of the free service is the ability to immediately verify children's commute status to prevent accidents (87.4%), followed by creating a social environment prioritizing elementary student safety, addressing disparities in safety services across regions, and reducing financial burdens on parents. In fact, 98.7% of existing service users reported that it significantly contributes to student safety.In preparation for the full implementation in September, the education office is distributing standard guidelines to reduce confusion in schools and is promoting voluntary contracts at the school level. Procedures for transitioning to the new service, distributing new devices, and refunding existing paid users will be communicated to parents through school notices based on each school's readiness.After the service launches, the education office plans to conduct ongoing field inspections and gather feedback to improve device recognition errors and ensure service quality.Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik emphasized, "Supporting all parents in safely monitoring their children's commute and creating a secure commuting environment is the education office's most important responsibility. We will establish a robust safety network for all elementary students and their parents in Seoul."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 12:04:10
  • Household Loan Rates Rise: July Mortgage Rates Hit 4.48%, Credit Loans Near 6%
    Household Loan Rates Rise: July Mortgage Rates Hit 4.48%, Credit Loans Near 6% Mortgage rates have increased for the third consecutive month, while deposit rates have risen for four months, reaching 3.2%.According to the Bank of Korea's 'Weighted Average Interest Rate' statistics released on August 26, the weighted average mortgage rate for new loans at deposit banks in July was 4.48%, up 0.12 percentage points from the previous month. This marks the highest level since November 2023.The overall household loan rate rose to 4.64%, an increase of 0.14 percentage points. The rate for general credit loans climbed to 5.97%, up 0.25 percentage points, the highest since December 2024. The rate for jeonse loans also increased by 0.12 percentage points to 4.19%.The proportion of fixed-rate mortgages fell to 31.9%, a decrease of 5.8 percentage points from the previous month. This marks the lowest level since February 2014, continuing a nine-month decline since November of last year.The share of fixed-rate loans among all household loans also decreased to 21.0%, down 1.7 percentage points, reaching the lowest level since May 2022 after 12 consecutive months of decline.Kim Sung-jun, head of the Bank of Korea's Financial Statistics Team, explained, "The higher fixed rates compared to variable rates have led consumers to opt for lower immediate rates, resulting in a reduced share of fixed-rate loans."In July, corporate loan rates decreased from 4.27% to 4.20%. The rate for large corporate loans rose slightly to 4.18% due to an increase in short-term market rates, while the rate for small and medium-sized enterprises fell to 4.22%, aided by preferential rates to expand corporate lending.The interest rate for savings deposits (based on new transactions) rose to 3.21%, an increase of 0.13 percentage points, marking four consecutive months of growth.The rates for pure savings deposits, such as time deposits (3.16%), and market-based financial products like financial bonds and certificates of deposit (3.48%) rose by 0.14 percentage points and 0.12 percentage points, respectively.The interest rate spread between new loan rates and savings deposit rates narrowed to 1.06 percentage points, down 0.17 percentage points from the previous month, marking a six-month consecutive decline. The balance-based interest rate spread decreased to 2.22 percentage points, down 0.05 percentage points from the previous month.Regarding future interest rate trends, Kim stated, "Long-term rates have fallen, while short-term rates are rising as of August 22. Although rates dropped until early August, they are expected to rise thereafter, reflecting this trend."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 12:04:10
  • Duo Fined $3.45 Million for False Advertising Claims on Professional Members
    Duo Fined $3.45 Million for False Advertising Claims on Professional Members A marriage information company, Duo, has faced sanctions from fair trade authorities for advertising that it holds the largest number of professional and prestigious university members without objective evidence.The Fair Trade Commission announced on August 26 that it has issued a corrective order and a public announcement regarding Duo's false and exaggerated advertising practices, imposing a fine of 345 million won (approximately $3.45 million).According to the commission, Duo used phrases such as 'the industry’s largest number of professionals at 5,135' and 'the highest number of prestigious university members at 16,479' in internet articles, its website, blogs, and bus advertisements starting in November 2022.However, Duo classified its professional and prestigious university members based on its own criteria and did not investigate or compare the membership numbers of competing companies using the same standards. It also failed to provide objective data to support its claim of having the largest number in the industry.Duo categorized professionals to include doctors, dentists, traditional medicine practitioners, veterinarians, pharmacists, lawyers, judges, prosecutors, patent attorneys, accountants, tax accountants, and appraisers. Its prestigious university members included graduates from medical schools, universities in Seoul and the metropolitan area, local national universities, military academies, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.Additionally, Duo's advertising related to external audits was misleading. From April 2022, it claimed to be 'the only external audit target corporation in the industry' and 'the only electronic disclosure company recognized by the Financial Supervisory Service in Korea.' However, the commission's investigation revealed that during the same period, competing marriage information companies were also disclosing audit reports through the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system (DART).The number of professional managers was also inflated. From November 2022 to June 2023, Duo promoted that 'the industry’s largest number of 230 professional managers provide personalized management at a 2-to-1 ratio.' However, as of October 2023, only 188 managers were specifically engaged in member matchmaking. The figure of 230 included general staff.The Fair Trade Commission determined that the size of professional and prestigious university members, as well as the number of professional managers, significantly influences consumer choices. Since consumers cannot verify the actual content and quality of services before joining marriage information services, accurate information based on objective evidence must be provided. Consequently, the commission imposed a corrective order, a public announcement, and a fine of 345 million won.According to the Korea Consumer Agency, the number of damage relief applications related to domestic marriage brokerage services has increased annually, with 1,188 cases reported from 2021 to June 2024. The average contract amount per person rose from approximately 2.9 million won in 2021 to about 3.56 million won in 2023, marking a 22.7% increase. Given that this market involves relatively high contract amounts, the accuracy of information influencing membership decisions, such as member composition and manager size, is increasingly important.In response, the Fair Trade Commission is pushing to amend the Display and Advertising Act to raise the fixed penalty limit for unfair advertising from the current 500 million won to 5 billion won when it is difficult to assess the sales amount related to such advertising. A commission official stated, 'We will continue to monitor unfair advertising to ensure that accurate information is provided, which is crucial for consumers' rational purchasing decisions in the marriage information service sector.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 12:04:00
  • Births Exceed 140,000 in First Half of 2026, Driven by Mothers in Their 30s
    Births Exceed 140,000 in First Half of 2026, Driven by Mothers in Their 30s In the first half of 2026, the number of births surpassed 140,000, marking the largest increase on record, driven by a rise in mothers in their 30s. However, the overall population has experienced a natural decline due to aging.According to the National Data Agency's population trends report for June 2026, the cumulative number of births from January to June reached 145,804, a 15.4% increase compared to the previous year. This marks the ninth consecutive quarter of rising birth numbers since the second quarter of 2024.Quarterly birth indicators continue to show improvement. In the second quarter of this year, the number of births was 70,791, the highest for a second quarter in seven years since 2019. The year-on-year growth rate was 15.8%, the highest recorded.The total fertility rate, which indicates the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, was 0.88 in the second quarter, an increase of 0.11 from the same period last year. Birth rates among women aged 25-29 increased by 0.7, while those aged 30-34 and 35-39 saw increases of 11.0 and 10.7, respectively.A representative from the data agency stated, "The recovery in marriage rates following the transition to an endemic phase of COVID-19, along with an increase in the population of women in their 30s, appears to be influencing these trends. Additionally, positive changes in perceptions about childbirth, as indicated by social surveys, are also contributing factors."In the first half of this year, the number of deaths was recorded at 178,822, with the second quarter seeing an increase of 1,254 deaths (1.5%) compared to the previous year, totaling 85,772. This rise is attributed to ongoing aging in the population. Consequently, the overall population decreased by 33,018 in the first half of the year.Marriage rates, a leading indicator of births, also increased. In the second quarter, the number of marriages reached 62,065, the highest since 2018, representing a 4.9% increase from the same period last year. This marks the tenth consecutive quarter of growth since the first quarter of 2024.The data agency noted, "The increase in the population of women in their early 30s and positive changes in perceptions about marriage are likely influencing the rise in marriage rates. There may also be some effects from certain policies."In June, the number of births was reported at 23,111, a 15.6% increase compared to the same month last year, marking the highest number in seven years and continuing a two-year upward trend. All regions reported increases in birth numbers, with Gyeonggi Province (6,915), Seoul (4,350), and Incheon (1,481) leading the counts.The total fertility rate for June was 0.88, an increase of 0.11 from the previous year. The composition of births by order showed a 2.3 percentage point increase for firstborns, while second and third births decreased by 1.2 and 1.1 percentage points, respectively.However, the number of deaths reached an all-time high. In June, the death toll was 27,794, an increase of 550 (2.0%) from the previous year.June also saw a 14.0% increase in marriages, totaling 21,075, the highest growth rate for June since 2017. The number of marriages has been on the rise for 27 consecutive months since February 2024.According to the domestic population movement statistics released on the same day for July 2026, the number of domestic movers was 468,000, a 15.5% decrease from the same period last year. The mobility rate, which indicates the number of movers per 100 people, was 10.8%, down 2.0 percentage points from the previous year.Intra-city movements accounted for 66.1%, while inter-city movements made up 33.9%. The regions with the highest net migration were Gyeonggi Province (5,106), Incheon (2,547), and Chungnam (704). In contrast, Seoul experienced a net outflow of 6,108, with 10 other regions, including Gyeongnam (-813) and Busan (-661), also reporting net outflows.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 12:04:00
  • Birth Rate Increases for Second Consecutive Year as Total Fertility Rate Reaches 0.8
    Birth Rate Increases for Second Consecutive Year as Total Fertility Rate Reaches 0.8 The number of births has increased for the second consecutive year, with the total fertility rate rising to 0.8. Notably, the birth rate of firstborns has surged, driving the overall increase in births. Changes in birth patterns, including a rise in births outside of marriage and multiple births, have also been observed.According to the '2025 Birth Statistics' released by the National Data Agency on August 26, 2026, the number of births last year reached 254,300, an increase of 16,000 (6.7%) from the previous year. This marks two consecutive years of growth following 2024.In terms of birth order, firstborns saw the largest increase, with 12,600 more births (8.6%). Secondborns increased by 3,300 (4.4%), while births of third or higher-order children rose by 100 (0.5%). Firstborns accounted for 62.4% of all births, up 1.1 percentage points from the previous year. In contrast, the proportions of secondborns and third or higher-order children decreased to 31.2% and 6.4%, respectively, down 0.7 and 0.4 percentage points.The trend of increasing births outside of marriage continued, with 14,000 such births last year, representing 5.5% of all births. The proportion of births outside of marriage remained stable at 1.9-2.0% from 2014 to 2017 but has steadily risen since reaching 2.2% in 2018.The time taken to have a firstborn after marriage has slightly decreased. Among firstborns, 53.2% were born within two years of marriage, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from the previous year. The proportion of all births occurring within two years of marriage also rose to 36.1%, up 1.1 percentage points.Multiple births have also increased, accounting for 6.1% (15,500) of all births, up 0.4 percentage points from the previous year. The average age of women giving birth to multiples is 35.3 years, 1.7 years older than those giving birth to singletons.Park Hyun-jung, head of the Population Trends Division at the National Data Agency, stated, "Since 2023, the increase in marriages and the recovery of the average age for marriage and childbirth in the early 30s have significantly contributed to the recovery in birth rates. We expect the increase in births to continue."She added, "The rise in marriages since the transition to endemic status in May 2023 and the increase in the population of women in their 30s have played a role, along with positive changes in perceptions about childbirth as seen in social surveys."Amid rising birth ages and an increase in multiple births, the proportion of preterm births has also grown. Preterm births, defined as those occurring before 37 weeks of gestation, accounted for 10.8% of all births, an increase of 0.6 percentage points from the previous year, and have expanded by about 1.6 times compared to a decade ago. Notably, 73.7% of multiple births were preterm.The total fertility rate, which represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, is now 0.80, an increase of 0.05 from the previous year. Like the number of births, the total fertility rate has also risen for two consecutive years.By age group, the birth rate is highest among women in their early 30s, at 73.1 births per 1,000 women, followed by 52.1 for women in their late 30s and 21.2 for women in their late 20s. Compared to the previous year, the birth rate for women in their late 30s saw the largest increase of 6.0 births, followed by increases of 2.8 for women in their early 30s, 0.8 for women in their early 40s, and 0.5 for women in their late 20s.The average age of mothers at childbirth has risen to 33.8 years, an increase of 0.2 years from the previous year. The average age for firstborns is 33.2 years, for secondborns is 34.7 years, and for thirdborns is 35.8 years. The average age of fathers remains at 36.1 years, the same as the previous year, but is 1.3 years higher than a decade ago.By region, the total fertility rate is highest in Jeonnam at 1.09, followed by Sejong at 1.06. In contrast, Seoul has the lowest rate at 0.63, with Busan at 0.74. The gap between the highest and lowest regions is 0.46, primarily attributed to differences in birth rates among women in their late 20s and early 30s.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-26 12:04:00