Won Hee-ryong Announces 'Idolbom' Pledge... "Will Introduce Care Income Deduction"

Expansion of Care Leave Reasons and Enhancement of Elementary Care Spaces

Won Hee-ryong, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is announcing his childcare pledge at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Won Hee-ryong, former governor of Jeju Province and presidential candidate of the People Power Party, announced plans to improve the quality of childcare services and ensure practical care is provided depending on the situation. He aims to enhance the 'details' of the service by introducing income deductions for childcare burden fees and expanding the reasons for applying for family care leave.

On the morning of the 27th at the National Assembly, former Governor Won announced his 10th pledge, 'National Chance for Childcare,' stating, "We will increase the state's responsibility for parenting and childcare."

He said he would introduce a 'public-type childcare support project' to establish a systematic management system. This means bringing childcare in the private sector under state management. To this end, he promised to reduce the cost burden of childcare services for dual-income couples and introduce income deductions for childcare out-of-pocket expenses.

He also revealed plans to expand childcare spaces within elementary schools. Former Governor Won said, "Currently, childcare targets are mainly focused on first and second graders, but we will ensure practical care extends to upper elementary grades," adding, "We will improve the quality of services with diverse and beneficial programs so that children are no longer left in childcare gaps."

To improve the quality of childcare, he proposed reducing the number of children per daycare teacher. He explained, "Currently, the class size ranges from 3 children for infants aged 0 to 20 children for those aged 4 and above, which is too many for one teacher to handle," and added, "Going forward, we will gradually and significantly lower the class size to 2 children for infants aged 0 and fewer than 10 children for those aged 3 and above."

He also presented a pledge to guarantee childcare opportunities for parents in various situations. He plans to pursue legal amendments to expand the reasons for applying for family care leave so that parents facing issues such as school violence or school maladjustment can care for their children. Additionally, he announced support for substitute worker wages at small businesses with five or fewer employees to ensure practical use of parental leave.

Former Governor Won has been strengthening his childcare and parenting policies, including pledging last month to introduce a nationwide monthly 'parental allowance' of 1 million won. Regarding these pledges, he emphasized, "Now, rather than focusing solely on solving low birth rates, we must truly transform the system for children and families."