By Kim Se-jeong
Parents with a child up to six years old will receive 100,000 won extra each month starting July 2018.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Wednesday, a childcare allowance will be given for all in that age group, regardless of parents’ income level. Approximately 2.53 million people are expected to benefit, the ministry said.
Currently, families with a child up to seven years old receive between 100,000 won and 200,000 won monthly, depending on the age of the child and whether the child is enrolled in a daycare center. The new allowance will be offered in addition to this existing childcare allowance.
A mother, for example, who will have a baby next August will receive 300,000 won from the central government per month.
President Moon Jae-in pledged the extra 100,000-won allowance during his presidential campaign. Many welcomed his pledge but weren’t sure if it could be made possible because he spoke of so many similar pledges.
“It’s time for the government to make a hard decision for the future of the country,” the ministry said in a press release, Wednesday. “Children are the future of Korea and we believe the government’s job is to give children equal opportunities.”
The government expects the new allowance will need 1.1 trillion won next year, but didn’t elaborate on how the funds will be raised.
Parents should register to receive the money online or through a community center. If their children stay outside Korea for more than 90 days they lose their eligibility.
The initial public reaction to the announcement was overwhelmingly good.
Naver, the nation’s most popular portal site, was filled with welcoming messages.
“It’s great to hear the news. I hope this will help children,” a netizen with id qnwk*** wrote.
“The low birthrate is a tough challenge as seen in developed countries,” aris**** wrote. “It’s hard for one policy to reverse the trend. So it’s important to try out different policies and that’s exactly what this government is doing.”
One wrote his own wish: “Dear President, its good news! But please pay attention to the disabled. They’ve been left out of welfare policies.”