Hana Financial to operate around-the-clock child care centers to help tackle Korea's low birthrate

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, center, cuts the tape for an event to celebrate the launch of an around-the-clock child care center at Junggye-dong in Nowon District, northern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

Hana Financial Group allocated 30 billion won ($22 million) to operate 50 child care centers nationwide over the next five years, including three around-the-clock facilities, the group said Wednesday.

Hana is the first among local financial services entities to introduce such a program to help tackle Korea's low birthrate. Apart from the three around-the-clock facilities, the other 47 centers will be available for use on weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The plan is the latest in the group's years-long initiative launched in 2018 to build a total of 100 day care centers. The construction of the 100th center will be completed this year. Hana Financial Group has spent 150 billion won since 2018 to provide child care to 9,166 infants and created 1,983 jobs.

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, second from left in the back, makes a heart shaped hand gesture with parents, children and day care center workers to celebrate the launch of an around-the-clock child care center at Junggye-dong in Nowon District, northern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

Eligible are parents of children who are six months and older — up to eight years of age can make reservations at www.hanadolbom365.com

Parents, especially mothers, said they were able to acheive a better work-life balance after childbirth amid the growing challenge of finding child care services, according to the group.

"Having a child was a joy but it has been a source of great concern with my career on the line," a mother said at an event organized to celebrate the launch of around-the-clock Hana Care Daycare at Junggye-dong in Nowon District, northern Seoul, Tuesday.

"I, like many other parents, will gratefully use the program in case of emergencies. I thank Hana Financial Group very much."

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, second from left in the back, poses with parents, children and day care center workers to celebrate the launch of an around-the-clock child care center at Junggye-dong in Nowon District, northern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

Within the financial group's headquarters, Hana Financial runs the Hana Mom Care Center housing nursing rooms for young mothers who are either pregnant or with infants.

The group and its six affiliates can also use the Hana Grand Hall, a space renovated for couples to get married free of charge. Firefighters, small business owners, single parents and people with multicultural backgrounds are eligible.

"Hana Financial has been making committed efforts to build 100 day care centers since 2018," Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo said.

"Our efforts will contribute to improving the quality of child care services. This project is expected to aid parents who are struggling to find child care facilities that run outside of regular working hours."

Hana will further support, the chairman added, high-quality child care services for the happiness of both the parents and their children, the future leaders of the country.