KOREAN NET

The Seoul Metropolitan Government from September will give a subsidy of KRW 1 million to new mothers for postpartum care. (iClickart)*[Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of the above photo is strictly prohibited under copyright laws and regulations.]

All households in Seoul with newborns from fall are eligible for a subsidy of KRW 1 million for postpartum care.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 11 said under a policy to raise the low birth rate, the subsidy from September will go to all families with a newborn baby regardless of income level.

The minimum residence period in Seoul for a family to qualify is six months at the time of application for the subsidy and it must be done within 60 days of the baby's birth. A multicultural family is also eligible if one of the parents and the newborn are Korean nationals.

The city government will announce the starting date for applications later.

The subsidy can be spent on expenses to recover a mother's health such as a postpartum care center, maternity helper service and purchase of medicine.

The municipal government will also cover up to KRW 1 million in prenatal examination fees for pregnant women aged 35 or older.

Expansion of babysitting service will cover a second child as well as the first.

From next year, the city will pay 100% of the fees of a family with income 150% below the median if the family applies for public child care services from the date of the pregnancy test to 90 days after childbirth. A family earning 150% more than the median will pay half price for such services.

Use of a transportation subsidy of KRW 700,000 for a pregnant woman will be expanded to rail travel in addition to public transit and gas for private vehicles.

The latest measures are the second set from the city government to tackle the low birth rate since a project to support infertility announced on March 8. Municipal authorities will also inject a budget of KRW 213.7 billion by 2026 to stimulate childbirth.


By Kim Hyelin
kimhyelin211@korea.kr