Abstract
South Korea has one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, posing significant challenges to its healthcare system, particularly in perinatal care. The persistent decline in birth rates, coupled with a shortage of obstetricians and pediatricians, has led to disparities in maternal and child healthcare, especially in rural regions. Additionally, policy reforms aimed at addressing physician shortages have triggered professional conflicts, complicating the roles of advanced practice nurses (APNs) within the healthcare framework. This critical review explores the interplay between low fertility trends, perinatal healthcare challenges, and interprofessional tensions within the South Korean medical system. It highlights the potential contributions of APNs in mitigating these challenges through policy advocacy, workforce stabilization, and community-based maternal care initiatives. The study concludes with recommendations for strengthening healthcare policies, expanding perinatal care infrastructure, and fostering collaborative healthcare models to ensure better maternal and child health outcomes.
Keywords: Health policy; Maternal health services; Nursing practice; Fertility decline