[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] A birth notification system will be introduced that mandates medical institutions such as obstetrics and gynecology clinics to report births and allows the state to register births ex officio for children whose birth registration has been omitted.
The Ministry of Justice announced on the 21st the legislative notice of a partial amendment bill to the Act on the Registration of Family Relations (Family Relations Registration Act) based on this content.
The amendment first establishes an obligation for medical institutions to notify births.
The head of the medical institution where the child was born must notify the head of the city, town, or township within 14 days of the birth date, including the mother's name and resident registration number, the child's gender, and the date and time of birth.
However, this notification can be replaced by sending it through a computerized information system operated by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), entrusted by the Minister of Health and Welfare, within one week after birth. In this case, HIRA must resend the notification to the head of the city, town, or township within one week from the date of receipt.
A system for the state to register births ex officio for children whose birth registration has been omitted has also been established.
The head of the city, town, or township who receives the birth notification from the head of the medical institution or HIRA must verify whether the birth registration has been accepted within one month after birth, which is the birth registration period.
If the birth registration has not been made, the head of the city, town, or township must order the reporting obligation holders, such as the parents, to register the birth within seven days. If the reporting obligation holders fail to register the birth within the ordered period, or if they cannot be identified or ordered, the head of the city, town, or township must directly record the birth ex officio after obtaining confirmation from the family court.
The Ministry of Justice pointed out, "There are quite a few children who have not been properly protected because their parents did not register their births. These children are neglected or abandoned, unable to receive appropriate medical care, and even when they reach school age, they cannot attend school, and they are at high risk of physical, sexual, and mental abuse."
It added, "Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice has established the birth notification system to ensure that all children are registered without omission and to guarantee the right of children to birth registration."
Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice stated, "During the legislative notice period, we will listen to various public opinions and promptly submit the amendment bill for the introduction of the birth notification system to the National Assembly."
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