Non-custodial Parents' Child Support Enforcement Totals 66.6 Billion Won Over the Past 5 Years

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Holds 17th Child Support Enforcement Review Committee Meeting
Average Age of Children in Applicant Families 12 Years
94.4% Single Parents Are Divorced

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] A total of 66.6 billion KRW in child support payments has been enforced over the past five years through the Child Support Enforcement Agency, established to support the upbringing of children in single-parent families.

On the 24th at 3 p.m., the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that it will share the achievements of the past five years and discuss future policy directions through the 17th Child Support Enforcement Deliberation Committee held at the Government Seoul Office and Government Sejong Office. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the meeting will be conducted via video conference.

Since its establishment in 2015, the Child Support Enforcement Agency has handled 5,715 cases by the end of December last year, with the number increasing every year. The amount enforced also rose significantly from 2.5 billion KRW in 2015 to 14.2 billion KRW in 2017, and 26.2 billion KRW last year.

During the same period, there were 146,000 consultations on child support and 20,000 applications for enforcement support. The average age of children in applicant households was 12 years old, and divorced single parents accounted for 94.4%, making up the majority.

In cases where families faced difficulties due to non-receipt of child support, the Enforcement Agency provided temporary emergency child support to applicant families. Over five years, a total of 607 million KRW was supported for 660 minor children.

Additionally, the Enforcement Agency has provided services to facilitate smooth enforcement of child support, such as supporting visitation and contact between non-custodial parents and minor children, and operating relationship improvement programs.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has improved the system to secure enforcement by extending the emergency child support period from a maximum of 9 months to 12 months and revising laws to allow address and workplace inquiries without the consent of the non-custodial parent. In the future, plans include strengthening visitation and contact services and expanding support systems such as education for non-custodial parents. Starting this year, visitation and contact services will be available not only through the Enforcement Agency but also at the Healthy Family Support Centers in Busan, Jeonju, Ansan, and Jeju.

Minister Lee Jung-ok of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family stated, "Securing child support enforcement is the minimum measure to guarantee children's right to survival," and added, "We will expand support systems by strengthening negotiation services and providing education for non-custodial parents."