Gubokgyu County Governor: "Our Country's Population Issue Must Be Solved at the National Level!"
On the 10th, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it is accelerating the operation of the 'Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare center,' focusing on infant care as the third phase of its population policy in response to the nationwide population decline crisis.
As a leading administrative measure in population policy, the county has gained recognition this year by pioneering projects nationwide, such as the '10,000 won rental housing' support project for youth and newlyweds and the establishment of a dedicated 'Multicultural Team' for native citizens.
Jeonnam Hwasun-gun held the Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare center selection committee on the 21st of last month. [Photo by Hwasun-gun]
Hwasun-gun was classified as a population decline area in 2021, which intensified the sense of regional extinction risk.
Population policy has become a major policy direction of Hwasun-gun with the launch of the 8th local government administration, also contributing to the recent organizational restructuring that established the Population and Youth Policy Division.
In an interview with media outlet A on the 9th, County Governor Gubokgyu Koo stated, “The population issue in our country must be approached and actively resolved at the national level,” adding, “In the future, when a baby is born, the state should take responsibility for childcare burdens and implement free education and free medical care up to university.”
Regarding Hwasun-gun’s population policy, he explained, “The 10,000 won rental housing reduces housing burdens to create conditions for marriage, and the establishment and operation of the Multicultural Team is a solution aligned with international trends in population policy. The 'Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare center' is a 24-hour childcare and care system for working people, dual-income couples, and single-parent families.”
The soon-to-be-launched nationwide first 'Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare center' will utilize the population extinction fund as its financial resource and target infants and young children aged 6 months to under 7 years.
Two daycare centers within the jurisdiction have been designated to provide childcare services on an hourly basis in cases where urgent care is needed due to parents’ nighttime economic activities, business trips, illness, or other reasons.
The principle is to operate 24 hours from 7:30 AM to 7:30 AM the next day (excluding Sundays and public holidays).
Eligible recipients must be residents registered in Hwasun-gun (parents, direct ascendants, or legal guardians) or workers employed at workplaces located in Hwasun-gun.
Support is available for up to 80 hours per month, and the hourly usage fee is only 1,000 won (borne by the parents), making it extremely affordable.
On July 21, Hwasun-gun held a selection committee meeting and designated Hwasun Hyundai Hillstate Daycare Center and Hwasun Hanyang Lips Daycare Center as the two 'Hwasun-type 24-hour daycare centers.' The full-scale operation is expected to begin in August.
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