New Thinking on Korea's Aging, Shrinking Society with Professor Youngtae Cho

New Thinking on Korea's Aging, Shrinking Society with Professor Youngtae Cho

Author: The Korea Society June 11, 2026 Duration: 1:04:50

June 10, 2026 - Join us for a virtual program exploring new thinking on Korea's aging, shrinking society with Dr. Youngtae Cho, Director of the Population Policy Research Center and professor of demography at the School of Public Health at Seoul National University (SNU).

Although South Korea's total fertility rate rebounded slightly to reach 0.8 babies per woman, it remains the lowest in the world and well below the replacement rate of 2.1 needed to maintain the population level. Consequently, Korea's population structure is experiencing a whipsaw demographic shift; by 2050, the working age population is projected to halve, with over 40 percent of the population over 65 years old. This transition will usher in profound social and economic challenges that will require ingenuity and accommodation to address.

Professor Cho is one of South Korea's most prominent demographers. His research interests include Korea's low fertility, its fundamental causes and policy reactions, Vietnam's new population policy, business demography, and population profiling. He is best known for his "Population as a Determined Future" thesis, which argues that while demographic shifts are predictable and inevitable, society can mitigate their impact through strategic adaptation. The discussion is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado.

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation and our individual and corporate members.

For the video version of this program including slides, please visit the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/live/rQuiuDtkV-c

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/2148-aging-society


Tune in to The Korea Society for a series of conversations that go beyond the headlines, exploring the dynamic relationship between the United States and Korea. This podcast, presented by the nonprofit organization of the same name, serves as an auditory forum where experts, policymakers, artists, and thinkers from both nations share their insights. You’ll hear discussions that span current events, historical context, cultural exchanges, and policy challenges, all aimed at fostering a deeper mutual understanding. Each episode feels like attending a thoughtful lecture or an intimate roundtable, providing nuance to complex topics that often get simplified in daily news cycles. The natural flow of dialogue in this podcast makes intricate subjects in politics, business, and the arts accessible and engaging. By focusing on genuine conversation rather than soundbites, these recordings build a bridge across the Pacific, offering listeners a reliable source for education and informed perspective. It’s an essential listen for anyone curious about the evolving ties, shared histories, and future collaborations between these two countries. The Korea Society organization ensures the content remains nonpartisan and dedicated to its mission, making each episode a trustworthy deep dive into the issues that shape this vital international partnership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Korea Society
Podcast Episodes
Modern Architecture in Korea: Travels Through Terra Incognita [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:26
November 17, 2025 - Modern architecture in Korea is characterized by open and dynamic attitudes formed through a unique set of historical circumstances. Through colonial rule, war, and poverty, it was cut off from its ol…
Reframing Suicide as a Shared Social Responsibility in Korea [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:18
Recorded November 10, 2025 - The Korea Society is pleased to announce that the ninth annual Sherman Family Korea Emerging Scholar Lecture Awardee is Dr. Peter Jongho Na, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale School o…