Ahn Hyeongju, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, Strengthens Low Birthrate Measures

‘Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on Childbirth and Childcare Support’ proposed by Ahn Hyeong-ju, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Council, passed the 321st extraordinary session plenary meeting on the 10th.

According to Seo-gu, the number of second-born children in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City was recorded as 297 in 2023. This represents a 25.4% (101 children) decrease compared to 398 in the previous year, and the number of second-born children was 478 in 2021, showing a significant decline each year.

The main contents of the amended ordinance include ▲ adjustment of the ordinance’s purpose according to the amendment ▲ establishment of new definitions such as multi-child families ▲ matters related to support contents such as childbirth congratulatory money ▲ matters related to application and procedures for support.

According to the ordinance, the standard for multi-child families is defined as families raising two or more children by birth or adoption. In addition, benefits such as postpartum care expenses, childbirth congratulatory money, and the I-Mom Happiness Taxi have been relaxed from the third child to the second child.

Councilor Ahn stated, “In the era of low birth rates, we will expand the support targets not only to low-income groups but also to multi-child families so that more families can reduce the burden of childcare,” and added, “We will continue to take the lead in creating an environment favorable to childbirth and childcare.”

Shin Dong-ho, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy bless4ya@asiae.co.kr