Ryukyung-gi, Jungnang-gu Mayor, Takes Steps to Strengthen 'Idolbom Service' Support: What's the Reason?

Direct Visits by Idolbomies to Single-Parent, Multi-Child, and Dual-Income Families in Jungnang-gu... Support through Hourly and Full-Day Infant Idolbom Care Services Including Play Activities, Snack Provision, and School Commute Assistance... Applications Available at Local Community Centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is strengthening support for the ‘Idolbom Service’ to share the burden of childcare throughout the year and provide childcare services tailored to the characteristics of individual families and child development.

The Idolbom Service is a childcare support service where a caregiver visits homes experiencing childcare gaps due to reasons such as single-parent families, multiple children, or dual-income households, and safely cares for the child until the parents return.

The ‘Idolbom Service’ provided by Jungnang-gu is mainly divided into the ‘Hourly Idolbom Service’ and the ‘Full-day Infant Idolbom Service.’

The ‘Hourly Idolbom Service’ supports activities such as school and daycare pick-up/drop-off, assistance with school supplies, temporary childcare, play activities, and providing prepared meals and snacks. The ‘Full-day Infant Idolbom Service’ supports activities excluding household chores, such as feeding baby food, sterilizing bottles, changing diapers, and bathing.

Additionally, caregivers communicate daily observations of the child to the family via phone calls or text messages so that parents can stay informed about their child’s day even when apart.

The service is available for children aged 3 months to 12 years old and requires a minimum usage of 2 hours per session.

The usage fee for the hourly general service is 9,890 KRW, with government subsidies ranging from 1,484 to 8,407 KRW applied differentially based on income level.

Families in need of the Idolbom Service can visit their local community center to apply. After income verification and eligibility notification, they can register on the Idolbom Service website and use the service.

For further inquiries about the Idolbom support program, contact the Vision Sharing Cooperative, the entrusted provider of Jungnang-gu’s Idolbom Service (☎435-4147), or the Women and Family Division of Jungnang-gu Office (☎2094-1765) for detailed guidance.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu stated, “We will establish a customized care system for each family so that the children of Jungnang can grow up well into adults, and we will strive to make Jungnang-gu a child-friendly environment.”