Rapper Neoksal says South Korea 'hasn't come to its senses' on childbirth support

Neoksal, a rapper and father of two, has spoken out about South Korea's low birth rate and the government's childcare support policy.

Neoksal appeared on the YouTube channel "Annyeonghan Saemyo and Urban Zakapa," published Friday, where he shared his views on childbirth and childcare subsidies.

"The childcare subsidy comes out at 1 million won ($745) a month for one month a year," he said, adding that he had heard the payment structure would change next year to a lump-sum disbursement.

He also noted a difference in the welfare benefits received by his 4-year-old son and his 10-month-old son, saying things had "changed enormously in just four years."

When co-host Jo Hyeon-a asked about the "multiple-children card," Neoksal said the benefit starts from three children. "There are benefits for two children as well, but honestly, this country hasn't come to its senses," he said.

He went on to say, "The country is not far from collapse, and this is all the support there is? There needs to be more. Treating people who have children as heroes wouldn't even be enough."

"Having a child isn't a privilege, but it needs to be encouraged and promoted more," Neoksal said. "For people like us who live comfortably, having a child is a choice. But there are also people for whom having a child isn't a choice — it just happens."

He added that "in whatever form, there needs to be support and encouragement when a child is born."

"The amount South Korea gives right now doesn't cut it. It's absurd," he said.

After the video was released, debate over his remarks spread online.

Some users pushed back, saying childcare welfare compares favorably to other countries, that people who would have children only for the subsidies are better off not having them, and that support for childbirth and childcare is already substantial.

Others sympathized with his point. One user wrote that what Neoksal was really talking about was support for those who genuinely need it — such as single-parent households that must handle both caregiving and earning a living on their own.

Meanwhile, Neoksal married a non-celebrity in September 2022 and has two sons.