Yeongcheon City, Full Free Meals at Public and Private Kindergartens

Meal distribution scene at Yeongcheon Girls' High School. (Photo by Yeongcheon City)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju-cheol In] Yeongcheon City, Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 18th that it will implement full free meals for kindergarten students starting this year.

This is one of Mayor Choi Ki-moon's major administrative policies aimed at increasing the population through student happiness and parental satisfaction, promoting itself as a premium education city.

With a total city budget of 330 million won, about 600 local public and private kindergarten students will receive support of 2,900 won, equivalent to the level of free meals provided to elementary students. Parents of kindergarten students will reduce their annual burden by about 700,000 won.

There are four elementary school-affiliated kindergartens with more than 100 students, one public single kindergarten, and three private kindergartens. The city also plans to apply the eco-friendly agricultural product meal subsidy (500 won per person) that has been provided to schools to kindergartens.

Mayor Choi Ki-moon stated, “Creating a city where children can live well leads to student happiness and parental satisfaction,” adding, “We will continue projects that help the growing children who are our future and create a happy Yeongcheon for all citizens.”