The First of O Se-hoon's Birth Policy...Major Expansion of Infertility Support

Plan to Invest 212.3 Billion KRW Over 4 Years

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced its first measure to address the ultra-low birthrate issue: an ‘Expansion of Infertility Support’ plan. With 1 in 10 newborns (10% as of 2022) being born through infertility treatment each year, the plan aims to dramatically expand support for the infertile population who wish to have children, thereby increasing the possibility of life birth.

Seoul announced on the 8th that it will strengthen support for infertile couples, advanced maternal age mothers, and multiple births. Approximately 212.3 billion KRW will be invested over four years (until 2026), and after preliminary preparations such as consultations on the establishment of social security systems with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and ordinance revisions, the plan will be fully implemented.

The main contents of this plan include ▲abolishing income criteria and procedural compartmentalization for infertility treatment cost support for infertile couples, ▲supporting costs for egg freezing procedures, ▲supporting examination costs for advanced maternal age mothers (35 years and older), ▲and supporting child safety insurance for multiple births.

First, Seoul will abolish the income criterion (below 180% of median income) for infertility treatment cost support, providing up to 1.1 million KRW per procedure (out-of-pocket expenses) to all infertile couples. The existing limit on the number of procedures per type (10 fresh cycles, 7 frozen cycles, 5 artificial inseminations) will also be removed to guarantee freedom of choice among procedure types.

A pilot project will also be launched nationwide for women aged 30 to 40 (including unmarried women) who wish to undergo egg freezing procedures, supporting up to 2 million KRW (50% of the first procedure cost). However, even women in their 20s can receive support if they have ovarian tumor-related diseases or a possibility of premature menopause due to decreased ovarian function from chemotherapy or other causes (AMH test result below 1.0).

Considering the increasing maternal age and the rise in twin (multiple) pregnancies and births through infertility treatments, new support will be provided to safeguard the health of advanced maternal age mothers and their children.

For advanced maternal age mothers (35 years and older), who face relatively higher risks of complications such as preeclampsia and birth defects, up to 1 million KRW will be supported for birth defect screening costs. Additionally, free enrollment in child safety insurance for twins (multiple births), which have increased due to infertility treatments, will be supported to protect the health of mothers and children and reduce medical expenses. It is estimated that 2,210 twins and 85 triplets were born in Seoul last year.

In this regard, Mayor Oh Se-hoon held a meeting with couples who succeeded in childbirth through infertility treatments, individuals currently undergoing infertility treatments, unmarried women who have undergone egg freezing procedures, and infertility treatment experts.

At the meeting, Mayor Oh said, “I will carefully manage policies so that those who share similar worries and pains can fulfill their earnest wishes.”