Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Out-of-wedlock births skyrocket as social attitudes change, young couples game the system

The percentage of children born outside of marriage jumped to 5.8 percent in 2024, nearly double the rate of 2020, as changing social attitudes led to more extramarital births and housing-related incentives encouraged couples to delay marriages.

2025-09-11

Births out of wedlock hit record high in 2024

The proportion of births outside of marriage reached an all-time high last year, data showed Wednesday, indicating a possible shift in accepted norms. A total of 13,800 babies were born out of wedlock in 2024.

2025-08-27

Yes, I have children born out of wedlock, but they were born after my marriage collapsed, comedian Kim Byung-man says

Comedian Kim Byung-man acknowledged that he fathered children born out of wedlock but said they were born after the breakdown of his marriage.

2025-08-08

Nonmarital births a solution to low birthrate, vice minister says to public outrage

First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Ki-il said nonmarital births should become more common in Korea to solve the birthrate issue. The public did not like that.

2025-05-09