Dalseong-gun, Daegu's First Monthly Childcare Subsidy of 140,000 to 250,000 KRW for Foreign Children

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-sun] Dalseong-gun, Daegu, will provide monthly childcare fee support for foreign children for the first time in Daegu to ensure non-discriminatory educational opportunities and create a stable childcare environment.

Dalseong-gun, Daegu, stated, "Currently, foreign children attending daycare centers are excluded from government childcare fee support, so children aged 0 to 5 pay up to 499,000 KRW monthly for childcare fees directly, which is a significant financial burden."

To alleviate the burden on foreign families, Dalseong-gun decided to support 50% of the childcare fees for foreign children aged 0 to 5 attending daycare centers in the district starting in October, providing benefits of up to 250,000 KRW.

The support targets children aged 0 to 5 of foreigners residing in Dalseong-gun for more than 90 days, and applications are currently being accepted.

A Dalseong-gun official said, "We estimate about 160 eligible children. We will accept applications from them and plan to pay the childcare fees for October and November in November. For 0-year-old children, 250,000 KRW per month will be paid, and for 5-year-olds, 140,000 KRW, with amounts varying by age."

Dalseong-gun is the first among the eight basic local governments in Daegu to provide childcare fees for foreign children. Many local governments in places like Gyeonggi-do provide childcare fees, and in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju City reportedly started providing childcare fees in January.

Choi Jae-hoon, the mayor of Dalseong-gun, said, "This project will reduce the economic burden on foreign families raising children and create a stable childcare environment. We will continue to do our best to guarantee the educational rights of all children and create an environment where they can live together as members of society without discrimination."