Yeongdeungpo-gu Discovers 19 Food-Insecure Children, Provides Meal Support to 866

A cook preparing meals at a community children's center

Winter Break Child Meal Support Provided to a Total of 866 Children Including 19 Identified as at Risk of Food Insecurity

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Although it is an exciting vacation, A boy and B girl felt more worry than anticipation. There is no adult to prepare lunch for them during the break. Their single father lives separately to earn money, and at home, only their uncle with a mental illness and elderly grandmother remain. The siblings did not welcome the school meal suspension during the vacation. However, this winter break, they were selected as recipients of child meal support through a recommendation from the local community center, easing their worries about going hungry.

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) has identified 19 additional children at high risk of food insecurity during the vacation period, along with 333 children eligible for general meal support and 533 children using local child centers, providing meal expenses during the winter break to a total of 866 children.

The child meal support project aims to prevent food insecurity and improve nutrition among low-income children at risk of missing meals. Eligible recipients are children under 18 years old, either attending school or not, from recipient households, near-poverty groups, single-parent families, emergency welfare support targets, or low-income households with income below 52% of the median standard.

However, regardless of income, if children like the siblings are unable to have proper meals, benefits can be provided upon recommendation by school teachers or local community center officials and decision by the Child Meal Committee.

Therefore, to minimize children left out of meal support, the district operated a focused application period for winter break child meal support from December 5 to 16, discovering 19 new eligible children.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner supported at 8,000 KRW each, up to 24,000 KRW per day

Eligible children receive 8,000 KRW per meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as needed, with a maximum of 24,000 KRW per day.

Children eligible for general meal support can purchase food using the Dream Tree Card at 5,103 locations including restaurants and convenience stores, while children using local child centers receive meals through group meal services at the centers.

Households requiring additional meal support during the vacation can apply by visiting their local community center.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “One meal is very important for growing children’s nutritional improvement and healthy growth,” and added, “We ask for active applications and attention so that all children can spend the winter break under warm care without any meal support blind spots.”

Children happily playing in the playroom

Teacher-to-Child Ratio Reduced: 0-Year-Old Class from 3 to 2 Children, 3-Year-Old Class from 15 to Under 10

Seongdong-gu (District Mayor Jung Won-oh) is accelerating its customized childcare projects by expanding the teacher-to-child ratio improvement project to 14 daycare centers this year.

The ‘Teacher-to-Child Ratio Improvement Project’ reduces the number of children assigned per childcare teacher below the legal standard to create a safer childcare environment, reduce teacher workload, and improve childcare quality. This project began last year and received high praise from teachers and parents, leading to its expansion to 14 daycare centers this year.

Last year, Seongdong-gu selected five daycare centers to pilot the project targeting ‘0-year-old classes’ (under 24 months) and ‘3-year-old classes.’ The teacher-to-child ratio was reduced from 3 to 2 children per teacher in the 0-year-old class and from 15 to under 10 children per teacher in the 3-year-old class.

A district official said, “The pilot project improved working conditions by reducing childcare teachers’ job stress and increased caregiver trust due to more teacher-child interactions. Given these positive effects, we plan to expand the project.” Seongdong-gu will select nine additional centers this year, operating a total of 14 centers from March.

From 5 Daycare Centers in 2022 to 9 Selected in 2023, Total 14 Centers Planned

Changes in childcare services this year include integrating the infant allowance introduced in 2022 into a parental allowance starting in 2023. Parents of infants born after January 1, 2022, will receive 700,000 KRW per month for 0-year-olds and 350,000 KRW per month for 1-year-olds. If a 0-year-old child attends daycare, 500,000 KRW is deducted from the childcare fee, and 1-year-olds receive childcare vouchers instead of parental allowance.

Additionally, Seongdong-gu, ranked first among Seoul districts for public childcare rate, will extend the monthly 30,000 KRW daycare special activity fee support from 10 months to 12 months. The district also secures funds for organic meals, childcare staff welfare improvements, longevity bonuses, and childbirth congratulatory payments, providing robust support. Furthermore, policies reflecting needs such as daycare operation cost support amid COVID-19 and low birth rates will be actively pursued.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Children are the future leaders of society, and creating a safe environment for raising children is a top priority,” adding, “We will lead realistic improvements in childcare environments and do our best to build a happy city for both parents and children.”

Child Participation Education Commuting to School by Car

Jongno-gu Conducts Child Rights Education for Residents, Children, and Staff, Contributing to Awareness Expansion

Jongno-gu (District Mayor Jeong Moon-heon) continues efforts to spread and build consensus on child rights this year through citizen instructor training courses and child rights promotion teams, following last year’s initiatives.

After receiving advanced certification as a child-friendly city from the UNICEF Korea Committee in May last year, the district has implemented various projects embedding child-friendly values throughout its administration.

With the aim of further developing a child-friendly city by May 3, 2026, a four-year plan has been established, setting five goals: ▲expanding child play conditions ▲guaranteeing child rights and participation ▲creating a safe society for children ▲establishing a clean and pleasant environment ▲supporting child growth and development, and steadily progressing multiple key projects.

Last year, the district appointed a child rights ombudsman in June and selected the slogan “A City Walking Together with Children, Jongno” through a contest from July to September. It also offered tailored education such as citizen instructor training for residents and child participation education for children.

In November, at the Jongno-gu Kids Cafe ‘Hyemyeong Children’s Imagination Playground,’ opened in May 2022, a program called ‘Find Your Rights’ was held where children and guardians learned about each other’s rights (child rights, parental rights) through play. The education was led by residents who completed the citizen instructor training course, drawing attention.

Additionally, to mark Child Abuse Prevention Day, the district raised awareness about the seriousness of child abuse and emphasized the importance of community attention for child protection by displaying prevention materials on the ‘Jongno 12’ village bus throughout November and conducting campaigns.

Jongno-gu plans to operate an advanced citizen instructor training course in April and form a child rights promotion team from graduates to focus on spreading and promoting child rights. It will also plan upgraded tailored education for residents, children, and staff compared to last year, striving to expand awareness of child rights.

Jeong Moon-heon, Mayor of Jongno-gu, stated, “In 2023, we will realize a community that lives up to the slogan ‘A City Walking Together with Children, Jongno,’ guaranteeing children’s participation and rights, and solidifying Jongno’s distinctive child protection system.”