'Import Sri Lankan or Vietnamese Women': Fury Over South Korean Mayor's Suggestion to Tackle Birth Rate Decline

A South Korean mayor has been expelled from his party after suggesting 'importing' young foreign women to marry rural bachelors, prompting criticism from the Vietnamese embassy and widespread public condemnation.

The controversy centres on Kim Hee-soo, the 69-year-old Mayor of Jindo County in South Jeolla Province. His remarks have drawn a formal rebuke from the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul which sent an official note on Friday, 6 February 2026, calling for a 'serious review' of his language.
These comments led to his unanimous expulsion from the ruling Democratic Party on Monday, 9 February 2026, following a Supreme Council meeting where party leaders branded his words as 'treating people like objects'.

A Proposal That Backfired

During a televised town hall meeting discussing administrative integration, Mayor Kim suggested that the solution to South Korea's 'population cliff' was to 'import young women from Vietnam or Sri Lanka' to be paired with unmarried men in shrinking rural hamlets. The use of the word 'import' was immediately slammed by human rights groups and the public for objectifying women and violating human dignity.

While Kim later apologised, stating he intended to discuss 'institutional support for marriage migration', the Democratic Party moved to expel him, with spokesperson Park Soo-hyun stating that the emergency disciplinary action was due to a 'serious violation' of party values.

The comments were made on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, with the official apology from the provincial government and Kim's party expulsion following on 9 February. The incident took place at a 'Visiting Town Hall Meeting' held at the Haenam Cultural Arts Center in South Jeolla, a region where nearly 20% of the country's population-declining districts are located.

The fallout comes as South Korea continues to grapple with one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. Despite government spending on childcare incentives and housing support, many rural areas continue to see population decline as younger residents relocate to larger cities.

The South Jeolla provincial administration accepted responsibility for the remarks, issuing a 'deep apology' to the people of Vietnam and Sri Lanka and promising to strengthen oversight to prevent similar incidents.

Past Debate Over International Marriage Brokers

Mayor Kim's suggestion has reignited a painful debate regarding South Korea's history with international marriage brokers. Since the 1990s, local governments have occasionally subsidised 'rural bachelor marriage' programmes, which critics have long likened to human trafficking. The Vietnamese embassy's statement was particularly pointed, noting that the Mayor's words reflected a 'devaluing attitude' toward migrant women who have been a cornerstone of the two nations' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the past 30 years.

In the first half of 2026, South Korea's total fertility rate was 0.85, a rebound following lows of 0.72 in 2023 and 0.75 in 2024. The structural issues driving the decline remain. High housing costs and a family-unfriendly work culture have led to the rise of the '4B movement', where many women reject marriage and dating altogether. Critics argue that instead of 'importing' solutions, the government should focus on these fundamental inequalities.

Diplomatic Strain and Political Exit

The remarks have raised diplomatic concerns, particularly in light of South Korea's ties with Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The Democratic Party's decision to expel Kim was described as a 'necessary step' to maintain the party's values on human rights and multiculturalism. Supreme Council member Moon Jeong-bok noted that the remark 'goes beyond a lack of gender sensitivity, it treats people like objects.'

As Jindo County navigates the aftermath of the scandal, the focus has shifted back to the viability of rural South Korea. The controversy has reignited debate over how South Korea addresses rural depopulation.