Seoul City to Provide Nation's First Dedicated Shelter for Pregnant Women in Crisis

Business Agreement Between Korea Land & Housing Corporation and Shelter for Supply
Scale of 10 Units... Targeting Pregnant Women in Crisis Having Difficulty Living in Facilities
Expanded to Integrated Center After Nationwide First Integrated Support Started

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is providing the nation's first dedicated shelter for pregnant women in crisis. Targeting women facing unexpected pregnancies or economic difficulties, this initiative is carried out by supplying purchase-rental housing from Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to operating organizations selected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

To this end, Seoul announced on the 6th that it signed a 'Business Agreement for the Supply of Shelters for Pregnant Women in Crisis' with LH on the 5th, and will begin full-scale administrative support aiming for operation in December.

This shelter provision is part of Seoul's 'Integrated Support for Pregnant Women in Crisis' initiative, which has been underway since last year. Earlier, as unregistered newborn infants?those born but not registered?emerged as a serious social issue, Seoul launched the nation's first integrated support project for crisis pregnancies in September last year, based on confidential counseling principles. In August, the 'Seoul Crisis Pregnant Women Integrated Support Center' was opened to support pregnant women in crisis to receive sufficient counseling and make informed decisions about childbirth.

Among pregnant women in crisis, Seoul noted that although those needing housing support can currently enter single-parent family welfare facilities regardless of income, some face psychological and emotional difficulties that make facility living challenging, thus requiring individualized protection.

According to the agreement, LH will supply 10 units of purchase-rental housing to the shelter operating organizations for pregnant women in crisis selected by Seoul. Each unit will house one household, which is expected to help pregnant women in crisis facing various difficulties.

Seoul plans to support pregnant women in crisis who need shelter protection through the selected operating organizations. Shelter operations will begin within the year. Seoul will work swiftly with LH to implement the agreement and provide administrative support to ensure the shelter for pregnant women in crisis is stably managed and operated. Kim Seon-soon, Director of the Women and Family Office of Seoul, said, "A crisis pregnancy is not an individual problem but an issue that our entire society must continuously care about and support," adding, "We will continue to do our best to support pregnant women in crisis so they can decide to give birth and raise their children in a healthy and safe environment."

Meanwhile, Seoul is providing various forms of support to pregnant women in crisis through the 'Crisis Pregnant Women Integrated Support Center.' Any pregnant woman struggling or conflicted due to pregnancy can receive confidential counseling 24 hours a day. The 'Seoul Crisis Pregnant Women Integrated Support Center' also serves as a regional counseling agency under the Crisis Pregnancy Protection and Childbirth Act. Consultations are also underway with member companies of the Korea Economic Association, which has signed a partnership agreement with Seoul for supporting vulnerable households. Pungsan and Hanwha helped create counseling spaces for pregnant women in crisis, while Samyang Group, Hoban, and the Korea Economic Association are providing sponsorship funds to support the livelihood and housing of pregnant women in crisis in urgent situations.