Gwangjin-gu Holds Public-Private Council Meeting on Low Birthrate Measures

On the 22nd, the '2023 Low Birthrate Policy Public-Private Council' was held at Gwangjin-gu Office... Experts including medical professionals and scholarship officers discussed directions for improving childbirth support policies... Presented current issues and fundamental solutions... Mayor Kim Kyung-ho emphasized the need for comprehensive measures on housing, education, and childcare costs

Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) held the ‘2023 Low Birthrate Countermeasure Public-Private Council’ to discuss practical measures to increase the birthrate.

The district is promoting various support projects aimed at overcoming low birthrates. Furthermore, the council has been gathering residents' opinions through collaboration between the public and private sectors to seek fundamental development plans.

This year, 17 members, including newly appointed committee members, attended the meeting on the 22nd. Experts from various fields such as doctors, professors, researchers, and scholarship officers gathered to share project achievements and exchange in-depth opinions on birth promotion policies.

The main topic raised was the need for detailed policies at the district level. It was unanimously agreed that a basic survey to understand the needs of residents must be conducted first, and based on this, customized projects should be developed.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the creation of a caregiving environment. It was pointed out that most support targets are focused on infants and toddlers, and the need for measures to alleviate caregiving burdens after elementary school enrollment was discussed. Moreover, proposals included relieving the burden of sole parenting, promoting gender equality, and fostering a positive perception of child-rearing.

A report on the status of low birthrate countermeasure projects was also presented. The district announced the annual achievements (as of November 13) of its own projects, including support for 339 first birthday photo shoots, 204 rentals of 100-day celebration tables, 107 rentals of safety car seats, and 53 birth congratulatory payments.

Regarding plans for 2024, it was conveyed that according to the revised ‘Gwangjin-gu Ordinance on Birth and Childcare Support’ enacted last July, birth congratulatory payments will be expanded to 1 million KRW per child starting from the first child, and the First Meeting Voucher will be increased to 3 million KRW for families with a second child or more.

District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho stated, “The low birthrate issue requires comprehensive measures encompassing various causes such as housing, education expenses, and childcare burdens,” and added, “We will continuously communicate with expert committee members to establish policies that truly help and create exemplary results.”