Railway Corporation Selected for Public Coexistence Solidarity Contest... Establishment of 'Railway Station Daycare Center'

Exterior photo of the Pyeongnae-Hopyeong Daycare Center building, established and operated by the Korea Rail Network Authority since 2019. Provided by the Korea Rail Network Authority

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Korea Rail Network Authority has been selected for the public sector support project in the '4th Public Coexistence Solidarity Contest.' The Rail Network Authority participated in the contest with the theme "Kids Rail Daycare Center at Railway Stations Embracing Coexistence and Happiness."

According to the Rail Network Authority on the 24th, the contest is hosted by the Public Coexistence Solidarity Fund Foundation. The purpose of the contest is to discover projects that strengthen the public nature of public institutions and practice social solidarity, and to provide project funding.

This year, a total of 86 projects proposed by public sectors and non-profit organizations were reviewed in the contest.

Among them, the Rail Network Authority's proposed project focuses on establishing daycare centers at railway stations to resolve childcare issues for dual-income couples commuting to urban areas.

In the evaluation, this project was highly rated for building a collaboration model with local governments, addressing the declining birth rate through support for work-family balance, and providing a stable childcare environment, leading to its selection as a public sector support project. The total project funding that the Rail Network Authority will receive is 100 million KRW.

Previously, the Rail Network Authority successfully operated a pilot daycare center at Pyeongnae-Hopyeong Station established in 2019. Next year, they plan to open daycare centers at Tanhyeon Station, Haengsin Station, and Yeoju Station, establishing more than three railway station daycare centers annually.

Kim Han-young, Director of the Rail Network Authority, said, "We hope the Kids Rail Daycare Center will serve as a stepping stone to provide a stable living environment for children and dual-income parents," and added, "The Rail Network Authority will continue to cooperate with government ministries such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to expand railway station daycare centers and contribute to resolving childcare issues."