Gwangjin-gu Increases Meal Support Unit Price for Food-Insecure Children from 7,000 Won to 8,000 Won

[Seoul District News] Gwangjin-gu Supports 1,022 Children Facing Food Insecurity with Child Meal Cards, Local Child Centers, and Lunchbox Delivery... Yangcheon-gu Provides Monthly 200,000 KRW Childcare Support for Youth Parents Until Year-End... Dongjak-gu Raises Monthly Veterans' Honor Allowance from 30,000 to 50,000 KRW Starting September

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho ·photo) will raise the child meal support unit price to 8,000 won starting in August to take care of the health of children from low-income families.

According to the 'July Consumer Price Trends' announced by Statistics Korea on the 2nd, the consumer price index last month was 108.74 (2020=100), a sharp increase of 6.3% compared to the same month last year. This is the highest rate of increase since November 1998 (6.8%).

Gwangjin-gu will increase the child meal support unit price from 7,000 won to 8,000 won starting in August, reflecting the inflation rate, to provide quality meals to growing children.

The support targets are children from recipients, near-poverty, single-parent families, and school-age and preschool children at risk of food insecurity in households corresponding to 52% of the median income standard.

Currently, 1,022 children in the district receive child meal support, and applications for meal cards can be made at the local community service center in the area of residence.

Children receive support through various methods such as the Kkum Namu Card (child meal card), which can be used at general restaurants and convenience stores in Seoul, lunchbox delivery, and group meals at local children's centers. The newly applied meal unit price will be applied to all meal support methods.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, "With this increase in the meal unit price, children at risk of food insecurity are expected to have more balanced meals," adding, "As the saying goes, it takes a whole village to raise a child, and we will continue to show interest and support for the healthy growth of children."

Yangcheon-gu (District Mayor Lee Ki-jae) announced that it is promoting a 'Youth Parent Childcare Support Pilot Project' to reduce the childcare burden on teenage parents who are balancing child-rearing with studies and employment.

This project is a pilot project by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family that provides 200,000 won per month per child to teenage parents raising children until December.

The support targets are teenage parents who are both under 24 years old according to the 'Youth Welfare Support Act,' maintain a marital relationship including common-law marriage, and are actually raising their children.

Additionally, they must meet the income criteria of 60% or less of the median income. However, households receiving related support such as single-parent family child-rearing expenses are excluded.

Teenage parents wishing to apply for support should visit the local community service center with their ID. Required documents include ▲childcare support application form ▲copy of bankbook ▲income certificate ▲family relation certificate ▲resident registration, etc.

If selected as a support recipient, childcare expenses of 200,000 won per child per month will be temporarily provided until the end of the year. The support payment starts from the month of application and is not retroactive.

For detailed information regarding the Youth Parent Childcare Support Project, contact the Family Policy Division of Yangcheon-gu Office.

Lee Ki-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, "Teenage parents face many difficulties as they raise children while balancing employment and studies," adding, "I hope this childcare support project helps stabilize the lives of teenage parents, and we will do our best to make Yangcheon-gu a place where all types of families live happily without exclusion."

Dongjak-gu (District Mayor Park Il-ha) will raise the veterans' honor allowance paid monthly to national veterans and their families who sacrificed and devoted themselves to the country to 50,000 won early starting in September.

The 'Increase in Veterans' Honor Allowance' is one of the pledges announced by Mayor Park Il-ha at the 8th term vision declaration ceremony (photo) as part of the 'Action Plan within 100 Days.'

Currently, the veterans' honor allowance is paid at 30,000 won per month, and the plan was to raise it to 50,000 won starting next year. However, to reduce welfare disparities among autonomous districts due to financial conditions, the district decided to significantly strengthen the honor and support for national veterans.

Accordingly, starting in September this year, the veterans' honor allowance will be raised to 50,000 won, with plans for annual increases until 2025.

In particular, the district expects its ranking in allowance payments among autonomous districts to rise sharply from 18th to 4th due to this early increase. The estimated number of beneficiaries from this pledge implementation is about 2,000 people.

The veterans' honor allowance is paid at the end of each month, and existing recipients will receive the increased amount automatically without a separate application. New recipients can apply anytime by visiting the local community service center.

For other matters related to the veterans' honor allowance, contact the Welfare Policy Division.

Mayor Park Il-ha said, "We will create a Dongjak-gu where the welfare of national veterans is improved through appropriate honor and support that matches their sacrifice and contribution."