[ath3nd]

> Do modern South Koreans really feel more resource-constrained today than they did in the 1960s,

Probably feelings wise, yes. It's one thing to be dirt poor along with everyone else around you, and another thing to be dirt poor in 9m2 apartment, and seeing skyscraper lofts from your window where 1 month rent is equivalent to your yearly salary.

> Korea is perhaps the clearest disproof of the resources -> children argument,

Wrong. Korea is, in reality, a perfect example of resources -> children argument, a perfect example of how bad capitalism is for society.

Korea has a huge income inequality: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_inequality_in_South_K...

That means a huge portion of the population is considered poor. Hence, a large portion of their population feels like they don't have the resources to have children, afford daycare, rent, food, etc.

[SpicyLemonZest]

Not sure I'm understanding you correctly - is your contention that income inequality was lower in the 1960s than today?

[ath3nd]

> was lower in the 1960s than today?

Absolutely! Or at least the perception of financial inequality.

In the 60s after the war, the country was industrializing which increased inequality.

Only in the 80s that temporarily stopped, known as the "Miracle on the Han River”. After the 80s, inequality has just been increasing, with increased number of the population KNOWING about it. It's the reason why you have movies like Parasite, shows like Squid Games, and the rising discontent for the chaebols.

In any case, people FEEL largely so downtrodden and without access to resources, that they don't want to have children. Solve that feeling of inequality (by investing in social welfare programs and taxing the s*it out the rich), and you solve the population crisis.