Donation
Population Research Lab Fund
Contact Information
Seoul National University Population Policy Research Center
Email: doyoonk@snu.ac.kr (Researcher in charge: Doyoon Kim)
Various population phenomena, including low fertility rate, population aging, and urban concentration in metropolitan area, are no longer merely statistical facts or consequences of the times. Instead, they have emerged as critical social challenges that significantly impact our society. However, the academic environment for foundational research on population remains far from ideal.
To date, population-related studies have largely focused on supporting government policies or business initiatives. While such research is undoubtedly essential, there is an urgent need for independent and innovative studies that remain unaffected by external influences. These efforts must delve into the root causes of population issues and propose sustainable solutions. Additionally, interdisciplinary population research, which combines expertise from diverse fields, is vital to anticipate and address the societal transformations driven by demographic changes.
The Population Research Lab Fund, established at the Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University, was created to meet these needs.
This fund has already enabled groundbreaking research. For instance, it supported a study that identified the root cause of Korea’s low fertility rate as survival competition stemming from population concentration in the capital region. Another funded project laid the academic groundwork for the concept of a “Active Population(De Facto)”, which has since been adopted by central and local governments as a framework for resource allocation to mitigate regional extinction risks.
More recently, the fund has supported research into population changes in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Indonesia. The fund is actively used not only for local population research in Korea, but also for research necessary to read and prepare for the future through the population and to develop overseas markets.
It also funds studies exploring the societal implications of population trends, such as the impact of young people’s social media habits on perceptions of marriage and childbirth, shifts in family values, and the characteristics of the Alpha Generation (currently elementary school students) and their potential influence on future societies.
The Population Research Lab Fund began with a personal commitment of 100 million KRW from Professor Youngtae Cho, the head of the research lab, in 2020. By 2022, the full pledged amount was donated, with total contributions reaching 180 million KRW as of 2024. Furthermore, individuals, corporations, and foundations that recognize the importance of academic research on population issues have donated an additional 160 million KRW by 2024.
All funds are used exclusively to support research professors, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and research assistants, enabling them to conduct their work with stability. Notably, Professor Youngtae Cho, as one of the contributors, does not receive any funding, including salaries or research expenses.
This fund is entirely dedicated to fostering the next generation of demographic scholars and pursuing bold, groundbreaking research in population studies. We warmly invite those who share our vision to join us in advancing this important mission.
Moreover, as the fund is managed by the Seoul National University Foundation, donors can rest assured that all contributions are transparently and effectively utilized. Donors also benefit from tax deductions and other acknowledgments provided by the foundation in accordance with their level of support.
If you are an individual, corporation, or organization interested in contributing, please complete the Fund Participation Application Form and submit it to the Seoul National University Population Policy Research Center or the Seoul National University Foundation. Be sure to specify the fund’s name and intended use as indicated in the application form to ensure proper allocation to the Population Research Lab Fund.
Your contribution will open new horizons in demographic research and play a crucial role in designing a sustainable future.
Contact Information
Seoul National University Population Policy Research Center
Email: doyoonk@snu.ac.kr (Researcher in charge: Doyoon Kim)