Controversial calls by South Korean lawmakers to abolish ‘no-child zones’

SEOUL – Voices Calling for Abolition of South Korean National Assembly Members “No Children Zones” at certain restaurants and venues It was met with a split reaction from the public on Friday.

Basic Income Party leader Yeon Hae-in argued Thursday that many private restaurants and public facilities have adopted “no children” policies without good reason.

“Today, Instagram-favorite cafes, restaurants and even public libraries have become ‘child-free zones,’” Yong said during a speech at the National Assembly in Seoul, holding her 23-month-old son in her arms. rice field.

She added: All too often, these public institutions, including the National Central Library, adopt regulations without good reason,” she said.

According to the National Library’s website, only visitors over the age of 16 can visit the National Library of Korea to prevent theft or damage of materials. Visitors under the age of 16 must submit a separate application and obtain permission from the library to enter.

Yong also pointed to Japan’s “fast track” policy, which prioritizes access for children and their parents to enter public museums, galleries and parks, as a solution to South Korea’s low birth rate.

“What we want is a society that accepts not only the fast and capable, but also the slow and inexperienced. We must radically reform a society that rejects people,” she said.

However, Yong’s proposal received a public backlash from critics, who said it missed the point of a “child-free zone” in the first place.