Seongdong-gu Provides Free Household Helper Support for Pregnant Families

District and Seoul City First to Offer 'Free Domestic Helper Support' for High-Risk, Multi-Child, Working Pregnant Women... Up to 4 Consecutive Sessions of 4 Hours Each, Applications Available from June at Local Resident Centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) will provide a free "Household Care Service" starting in June to high-risk pregnant women, as well as families with multiple children and working pregnant women residing in Seongdong-gu.

Seongdong-gu ranks first and second among Seoul's 25 districts in birth rates for women aged 30-39 and 40-44, with a high proportion of elderly pregnant women aged 35 and above. For elderly pregnant women, managing health before childbirth is especially important due to the increased risk of pregnancy complications such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as the possibility of miscarriage.

Additionally, for working pregnant women, the burden of balancing household chores and work has led to a gradual increase in miscarriage rates from 8.7% in 2006 to 24.5% in 2015.

In response, the district has launched a free "Pregnant Women Household Care Service" to support healthy childbirth not only for high-risk pregnant women but also for families with multiple children and working pregnant women.

The "Household Care Service" involves a housekeeper visiting the pregnant woman's home to provide basic household services such as cleaning and laundry, as well as customized services including meal provision for the pregnant woman and accompaniment to the hospital in emergencies.

Eligible recipients are high-risk pregnant women who have lived in Seongdong-gu for more than six months, pregnant women with multiple fetuses, pregnant women with disabilities, pregnant women from families with multiple children (first child or more), and working pregnant women.

The service is provided for up to four sessions, each lasting four hours, with continuous use as a principle. Applications can be made by visiting the local community service center with verification documents such as a medical certificate and employment certificate.

A district official stated, "Seongdong-gu is the first to offer free household care support to such a wide range of pregnant women, including working women and families with multiple children," adding, "To improve the birth rate, the district has allocated a budget of approximately 220 million KRW to actively protect pregnant women."

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "Ensuring healthy childbirth from pregnancy is also a measure to overcome low birth rates," and added, "It is expected that about 1,000 pregnant families in the region will receive support through this program, and we will continue to do our best to make Seongdong-gu a healthy and happy city where it is good to have and raise children."