Non-Marital Births: Beyond Jung Woo-sung & Moon Ga-bi, Others Have Chosen This Path Too
On January 18, SBS’s “News Story” will explore various family structures formed by individuals choosing to become single parents and discuss ways to create a more inclusive society.
Last November, actor Jung Woo-sung and model Moon Ga-bi made headlines by openly sharing their decisions to pursue non-marital parenthood. Their choice to embrace child-rearing responsibilities without marriage challenges traditional notions of the “nuclear family.” But what other forms can families take? The program delves into the story of Ms. Lee, a 30-something single woman who decided to have a child on her own.
Ms. Lee had long wanted a child resembling her but realized finding a partner might take time. She decided to move forward independently. Due to restrictions on sperm donation for single women in Korea, she traveled to Denmark, where she could access donor sperm and fertility treatments. Two years ago, after two attempts at artificial insemination, she gave birth to her first son, whom she cherishes deeply.
And now, there’s more joyful news—Ms. Lee is currently expecting her second child. Once again, she used donor sperm from Denmark and successfully conceived through IVF. She shared her excitement, saying her growing family only brings her more happiness.
Similarly, Mirja Maletzki, a German national who gained fame through a Korean variety show, also chose the path of single motherhood. In Germany, single women can access fertility treatments, and Mirja underwent procedures at a local clinic. In 2022, she welcomed her healthy son, Julian. Although balancing work and parenting keeps her busy, Mirja says her life is full of happiness.
Another example is Mr. Jung, a single adoptive parent who has been raising a child alone for 18 years. Shortly after single-parent adoption became legal in Korea in 2007, Jung adopted a newborn he met during volunteer work at an orphanage. Despite societal prejudices, he says his journey has been more filled with joy than hardship. However, Jung noted the challenges of single-parent adoption, pointing out that while it’s legally permitted, societal attitudes favoring “traditional families” make approvals exceedingly rare.
According to a recent survey by Statistics Korea, 42.8% of individuals in their 20s believe it’s acceptable to have children without marriage. Experts argue that policies need to adapt to these changing social attitudes. They suggest introducing systems similar to those in Iceland or France, where diverse family structures are recognized and supported. Such measures could enhance individual happiness and potentially boost birth rates.
“News Story” airs on January 18 at 8 AM (KST).