[Welfare Advanced Nation 2030-Part 2]⑥ Hong Seok-jun "How Can We Discuss Low Birthrate When We Can't Even Care for Children Aging Out of Protection?"

Within 5 Years After Leaving Care, 26.3% of Youth Difficult to Track
"Social Adaptation Education Needed from Facility Stay"
"Welfare Should Focus on Marginalized Groups Needing State Support"
'Special Act on Support for Self-Reliant Children and Adolescents' Pending

Editor's NoteIs South Korea a developed country? In the 'Welfare Developed Country 2030' project, which was prepared to explore the 'direction of developed countries' through National Assembly legislation, following Part 1 on 'People with Developmental Disabilities,' this time we addressed 'children suffering from food insecurity' and 'children aging out of care (youth preparing for independence).' We examine the winter of children who must worry about every meal during school vacations when school meals stop, and the winter of children aging out of care who must face adulthood unprepared after leaving child care facilities. We aim to explore legislative and response measures at the National Assembly level.

Hong Seok-jun, Member of the People Power Party./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

"It is an important mission for the state to make efforts so that children in welfare facilities can adapt well to society. The low birthrate issue has emerged, and it is said that there will be a shortage of young people in the future, but how unfortunate is the reality that even those who are alive cannot adapt and end up making extreme choices?"

On the 24th, Hong Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party, said this in an interview with Asia Economy, mentioning recent tragic incidents and asking, "Isn't support related to children aging out of care still insufficient?"

After proposing a bill last year to extend the protection period for children aging out of care, Representative Hong submitted a second amendment to the Child Welfare Act this year. The amendment includes provisions allowing those who have aged out and left facilities to receive protective measures again if they are under 25 years old. Under current law, protective measures can be provided up to age 24 with consent, but if protection ended earlier, it is impossible to receive protective measures again even if under 25.

Representative Hong stated that he proposed the bill because children leaving facilities need places to rely on when they fail to adapt properly. According to the Child Independence Support Statistical Status Report (2020) prepared by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Child Rights Protection Agency, among 12,796 youths within five years after aging out of care (as of 2019), 3,362 (26.3%) had unknown whereabouts. He pointed out, "There are friends who feel abandoned by society the moment they leave the facility," adding, "They suffer mental distress, and practically, if they cannot work properly in society and face economic difficulties, complex problems can arise."

Although the external conditions of child welfare facilities have greatly improved, tailored support is still insufficient. Representative Hong said, "When you visit facilities, the number of children per room has decreased compared to the past, and aspects like study rooms and laundry facilities have improved," but added, "Nevertheless, the state or local governments only provide support for clothing and food expenses, and the rest still relies solely on donations." He continued, "For example, if a child wants to learn piano or a foreign language, help can only be received through external volunteers or donors," emphasizing that welfare should focus on marginalized groups who truly need state assistance rather than universal welfare.

The above photo is not related to the article.

He emphasized that to ensure children achieve proper independence after leaving facilities, social adaptation education and training must be continuously conducted while they are still in the facility. To this end, he suggested activating exchanges through organic relationships with various private organizations and individuals. In the UK, a personal counselor designation system is implemented to support youths aging out of care until they turn 25, visiting and interviewing them at least every eight weeks to assess housing suitability and ensure appropriate support. He said, "Local governments may find it difficult to provide perfect one-on-one matching due to budget shortages," but added, "Private sectors should also take more interest to promote active mentoring activities."

In the 21st National Assembly, Yoon Hu-duk of the Democratic Party of Korea proposed the 'Special Act on Support for Children and Adolescents Preparing for Independence'. A representative from Yoon Hu-duk’s office explained, "It is a bill created after six months of close collaboration with youth preparing for independence," adding, "Although it was discarded due to term expiration in the 20th National Assembly, it was reintroduced because it is a necessary bill." Unfortunately, no members of the People Power Party were listed as proposers of the special act. At that time, independent lawmaker Lee Yong-ho was the only one. The bill is still pending.

Representative Hong said he is willing to have frank, bipartisan discussions with opposition lawmakers if necessary to solve the issues of children aging out of care. He said, "Welfare issues fundamentally seem to be a matter of resources," but added, "I will approach welfare issues within a sustainable scope and work to resolve them." He also mentioned, "If domestic adoption becomes more active, the number of children in facilities will naturally decrease," and said, "Adoption and children aging out of care are deeply connected, so I plan to examine related issues further."