The revelation that actor Jung Woo-sung had a son with model Moon Ga-bi has sparked heated debates online. As criticism over Jung Woo-sung's ‘out-of-wedlock’ birth—referring to a child born to parents who are not legally married—mounts, there are growing voices calling the backlash excessively harsh. Is it fair to criticize someone solely for having a child outside of marriage? Let's compare this situation with non-marital birth rates in major European countries and similar cases abroad.
France is one of the countries most accepting of out-of-wedlock births (hereafter referred to as non-marital births). As of 2021, 62% of all births in France occurred outside of marriage. This figure far exceeds half, reflecting how non-marital births are not seen as unusual in French society. In France, having and raising children regardless of marital status is considered a normal part of life. Legally, children born to married couples and those born to parents in a de facto relationship share equal rights, and there is no social stigma attached to such births.
Norway and Sweden show similar trends. Norway’s non-marital birth rate reaches 56.3%, while Sweden records 55.2%. These Nordic countries have long emphasized a culture that values individual freedom and personal choice. There is a strong belief that creating a supportive and responsible environment for raising children is more important than adhering to the institution of marriage. In Sweden, it is common for cohabiting couples to have children. Since the law grants them almost the same rights as married couples, many people choose not to marry.
In the Netherlands and Belgium, non-marital births are a common phenomenon. The non-marital birth rate in the Netherlands stands at 52.9%, while in Belgium, it reaches 50.4%. In these countries, marriage is regarded as a personal choice, and having children is not judged in relation to marital status. This reflects the inclusive culture of both nations, where diverse family structures are becoming more common and are respected by society.
While many European countries naturally accept non-marital births, the reaction in Korean society is strikingly different. In South Korea, non-marital births still face negative perceptions, and when a public figure is involved, the criticism becomes even harsher. The case of Jung Woo-sung illustrates this clearly. Despite expressing his intention to fulfill his responsibilities as a father, Jung Woo-sung continues to face widespread condemnation.
The cultural acceptance of non-marital births is not exclusive to Europe. In the United States, non-marital birth rates have steadily increased and are now seen as a social reality rather than a stigma. Notably, cases of non-marital births among celebrities are common. For example, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has children from relationships outside of marriage. However, public perception focuses on his abilities and achievements as an entrepreneur rather than his personal choices. His non-marital births are viewed as a personal matter and have little impact on his public image.
The situation is similar in the United Kingdom. Although the non-marital birth rate is 29.6%, relatively low compared to other European countries, it is still higher than South Korea's. In the UK, greater emphasis is placed on parents’ responsibility and love in raising their child rather than the circumstances of the child’s birth. This reflects the weakening of traditional marriage norms and a shift toward respecting family diversity.
In South Korea, the controversy surrounding non-marital births highlights a clash between traditional values and modern perspectives. Traditionally, marriage has been viewed as the foundation of a family, making non-marital births socially difficult to accept. However, times have changed, and diverse family structures are becoming more common. This has led to increasing acknowledgment that creating a healthy and happy environment for children is more important than criticizing the circumstances of their birth.
Critics argue that the condemnation of non-marital births is overly reliant on societal stereotypes. As society evolves, South Korea is urged to move beyond traditional standards and embrace changing family dynamics and individual choices.
On November 26, lawmaker Lee So-young of the Democratic Party of Korea shared her thoughts on Facebook in a post titled “Reflections on Actor Jung Woo-sung’s News of Having a Child.” She emphasized that simply because two people had a child together, it does not mean they should be forced into marriage. Lee stated that while public figures’ private lives inevitably draw attention, “criticizing and judging his decision about marriage is hard to justify.”
She added, “Although people may voice concerns for the child, the idea that ‘parents must remain married for the child’s sake’ can itself be a form of prejudice.” Reflecting on her own experience, Lee shared, “My parents divorced when I was very young, and I grew up not even remembering my father’s face. Would I have been happier if my parents stayed together despite not loving each other? That’s a question no one can answer for certain.”
Lee further pointed out the inconsistency in societal attitudes: “In a society where divorce is accepted and respected, why is it that having a child and choosing not to marry is so heavily criticized? Is it acceptable to divorce after having a child, but not to choose not to marry at all? I don’t understand why these personal decisions are subject to judgment.”
She stressed, “Deciding to live with someone is a deeply personal and existential choice. To ignore the nature of the relationship and force marriage simply because a child is involved is suffocating. At the very least, within the bounds of law and ethics, the right to live alone or to marry someone of one’s choosing is an inherent personal freedom.”
Lee concluded, “There’s nothing wrong with conventional family structures, but I do think that parents living together in love and cooperation can positively impact a child’s emotional well-being. However, everyone’s life is different. While it may seem like there is a standard way to live, in reality, every life is unique. Wouldn’t a society that respects these differences without judgment be a better one?”
