A postpartum care worker embraces a baby at a public postpartum care center in Seoul, Feb. 28. Yonhap

The government's survey on providing a birth and child-rearing subsidy worth 100 million won ($72,564) per child has caused a heated debate.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission conducted a survey through its official website between April 17 and 26 on measures to enhance the country's plummeting birthrate.

The survey asked whether the government's provision of a subsidy benefit amounting to 1 million won per child could motivate giving birth and whether people agreed with spending 23 trillion won of the government budget for that purpose.

In the commission's scenario, the country needs a 23 trillion won budget to provide a 1 million won subsidy per birth, based on the number of children born in 2023.

Korea's total fertility rate is expected to plummet further from the current 0.72 babies born per woman to a record low of 0.68 by the end of this year, according to Statistics Korea. Korea is the only member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with a total fertility rate below 1 as of 2021.

A total of 13,640 respondents participated in the survey and 1,761 comments were made.

"If the government provides 1 million won per child as a birth subsidy, it could alleviate the financial burden of going on maternity leave and many couples would be motivated to have children," an online user wrote in favor of the policy proposal. Others agreed it is "the most tangible and helpful approach" among the government's continuous efforts to boost the plummeting birthrate.

Meanwhile, many viewed otherwise, saying the subsidy cannot be a "fundamental solution" to solve the country's ongoing demographic crisis.

"Giving 1 million won won't make parents quit their jobs and look after their children at home," wrote an online user. Many others agreed that a one-time financial subsidy or housing cannot convince people to have children.

Some opposed the idea, arguing that some people could take advantage of the policy to earn money, and it may lead to child negligence and abuse.

In response to the heated debate, the commission explained that the survey aimed to gather public opinions on the demographic crisis and its results will not be immediately made into policy.