인구감소, 지방소멸의 위험에 관한 헌법학적 문제

The population of South Korea is on a declining trend. With the total fertility rate at 0.72 in 2023 and below 1.30 since 2012, it can be classified as an ultra-low birthrate society. Along with the population decline, the aging of the population is also progressing. As the total population decreases, the population outside the Seoul metropolitan area is migrating to the capital region. Since 2020, when the population of the capital region exceeded half of the total population, this trend of concentration has continued. The trends of low birthrates, aging, and population concentration in the capital are evident. Population increases or decreases are natural social phenomena. If there are factors for growth, the population increases; if there are factors for decline, it decreases. The recent decline in birthrates reflects the current generation's perception of the future. In an overcrowded society where individuals face intense competition to survive, deciding to raise children is not an easy choice. The decrease in the total fertility rate can also be interpreted as a collective call for the dismantling and transformation of the current structure. There are reasons behind the concentration of the population in the capital region. It offers better opportunities for education and employment, and the infrastructure needed for a comfortable life is well established. With low birthrates, aging, and capital region concentration, South Korea is becoming a polarized society. In addressing the issues of overall population decline and the shrinking populations in non-capital regions, it is important to recognize that we are a democratic republic. The core values of the republic, which pursue the welfare of all members of the community, should be reflected in national policies. The composition of the National Assembly, which decides national policies and allocates resources, must also be reorganized to promote balanced regional development and the interests of future generations. As the principle of proportional representation becomes more prominent in the demarcation of electoral districts, the number of representatives elected from the capital region is expected to increase gradually. The average age of representatives is also rising. It is challenging for older representatives living in the capital region to fully address the issues faced by non-capital regions, future generations, or children. One potential solution is to establish a senate or an administrative decision-making body that represents future generations and local interests, ensuring their voices are heard in national policymaking. Another possibility is to create a platform similar to a decentralized governance council that allows regional participation in administrative decisions. Additionally, the mindset and behavior of local governments must evolve.