EOUL – South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare recently honored two women, each having given birth to 13 children, with prestigious awards. One of the recipients is the mother of actress Nam Bo-ra.
Ms. Eom Gye-suk, 60, received the Seongnyu Medal, a fifth-grade honor within the Order of Civil Merit, recognizing outstanding contributions to the nation in various fields. Between 1986 and 2007, she gave birth to five sons and eight daughters. At the award ceremony held at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on October 10, coinciding with the 19th annual Pregnant Women’s Day, she reflected on her journey. “Despite the challenges of over 20 years of pregnancy and childbirth, I’ve experienced more happiness than hardship, thanks to my children,” she said. Approximately 150 pregnant women and their families attended the event.
Ms. Eom has advocated for the importance of childbirth and child-rearing through public lectures and her 2011 book about her family’s story. Currently, nine of her older children are employed, while two are in college and two in high school.
The second honoree, Ms. Lee Yeong-mi, 59, was also recognized for her remarkable dedication. She received the Civil Merit Medal, awarded to those whose accomplishments significantly benefit the country. Ms. Lee, who gave birth to 13 children between the ages of 23 and 44, has raised her children to contribute across various sectors.
Notably, her daughter Nam Bo-ra is a well-known actress, while her other children include an artist, a bank employee, a researcher, and a dental hygienist, with the youngest still in middle school.
Reflecting on societal changes, Ms. Lee acknowledged improvements in childbirth policies but emphasized the need for better workplace cultures that support childcare leave without stigma, especially for self-employed individuals.
Amid these personal stories, South Korea faces a pressing demographic challenge, with the fertility rate reaching a historic low of 0.76 in early 2024. President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared a “national emergency on population” and announced plans to enhance support for families in an effort to reverse this declining trend.
