Seoul is now facing a low-birthrate issue, with a birthrate of 1.19 in 2008, the average number of babies born during a woman’s lifetime made them near the world’s lowest. Because of the pressing issue, the country’s health ministry encourage their staff to go home early every third Wednesday of the Month, then all lights will be flicked at 7:30 pm to “help staff get dedicated to childbirth and upbringing”. Choi Jin-Sun, who is in charge of the project at the ministry, said that it may not have direct link to that but the possibility of the circumstances may happen. Health Minister Jeon Jae-Hee told the Korea Times newspaper, that “Korea may lose out in the global economic competition due to a lack of manpower. It is actually the most urgent and important issue the country is facing.”

Now the ministry is now offering different motivations such as incentives, cash gifts, for staff who produce more than two babies. Even the local government has plans like matchmaking services just to boost birthrate.