I'm pretty sure Korea has pretty shit work/life balance. And if you lose your job you're also SoL. There's still a substantial amount of instability and psychic stressors that could lead to someone not wanting kids, on top of constantly fearing war with NK

I can assure you from personal experience that the average South Korean is not "constantly fearing war with NK" or anything close to it.

Same. Most seem extremely concerned about how to get into that new restaurant or other normal human things.

Yet it is still among the best places to live on earth.

Depends. Versus some third world or developing country? Of course.

Versus other developed countries? South Korea has its pros and cons just like any other.

According to your framing, "third world or developing countries" are wholly and obviously less desirable ("of course"), than developed countries.

I don't agree with that statement, but let's follow the logic.

Most countries are not developed. Therefore, by your own definition, South Korea is one of the best places to live on Earth.

Wealth is bad in capitalism because it makes capitalists redundant.

See my comment elsewhere in the thread - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32588681 .