Recent surveys indicate increasing public backing for these proposals. Kang Eun-ae of the Seoul Foundation of Women & Family pointed to findings showing that 73% of respondents support allowing access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) regardless of marital status.
SEOUL, April 4 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea continues to grapple with its demographic challenges, experts are urging the government to expand legal protections and policy support for unmarried cohabiting families, particularly those raising children, who remain largely excluded from existing welfare systems.
At a population policy seminar hosted Thursday by the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future at Seoul’s POSCO Center, researchers called for the introduction of a legal registration and certification system for non-marital partnerships to address the structural discrimination faced by unmarried parents and their children.
“Children born outside of marriage are labeled as such from birth under current civil law, and their families often lack access to critical benefits like parental leave, housing programs, and even hospital visitation rights due to the absence of legal recognition,” said Song Hyo-jin, head of the Family and Low Birthrate Research Division at the Korean Women’s Development Institute.
She stressed that the legal framework, still centered around traditional marital relationships, fails to accommodate the diverse realities of modern family life. “We urgently need a system that allows non-marital couples to register their partnerships and access basic social protections.”
Son Yoon-hee, a communications lead at the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that unmarried parents are often forced to conform to institutions that don’t align with their values simply to access healthcare or childcare services. “Policies should shift from recognizing couples to recognizing children, regardless of their parents’ marital status.”
A child holds a VIP badge while attending the 43rd Daegu Baby & Kids Fair at EXCO in Buk-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of February 13 (Yonhap)
Panelists noted the increasing relevance of such discussions in light of shifting values among younger generations. Byun Soo-jung, a policy researcher at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, noted that even the distinction between unmarried cohabiting births and single-parent births is becoming more pronounced, with more individuals now exploring sperm donation and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outside of marriage.
“There is a risk of reproductive stratification as only those with the means and knowledge can currently access these options,” she said. “We need thoughtful policies that respect personal autonomy while ensuring equitable access and protection.”
Recent surveys suggest growing public support for these ideas. Kang Eun-ae from the Seoul Foundation of Women & Family cited data showing that 73% of respondents agreed ART should be accessible regardless of marital status.
Kang emphasized the need for policy debates on how far state support should extend—for example, whether to include procedures like egg freezing—and how to ensure legal protections for both women and children in these emerging family structures.
As South Korea faces ongoing concerns about its falling birthrate and aging population, experts warn that inclusive family policies may be critical not only for social equity but also for demographic sustainability.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
