Songpa-gu, 20th Multi-Child Family-Company Partnership... 350 Million KRW Sponsored Over 13 Years

Songpa-gu Held the '2024 1 Company 1 Multi-Child Family Partnership Ceremony' on the 8th
10 Companies and Organizations Paired with 14 Families... Monthly Support of 100,000 KRW Until November Next Year
171 Companies Participated Over 13 Years, Supporting 288 Families... Increase in Families with Fourth Child Compared to Last Year

"The children's names are based on the seasons they were born in: the first is 'Bom (6)' for spring, the second 'Yeoreum (4)' for summer, and the third 'Gaeul (3)' for autumn. With the fourth born this January, we now embrace all four seasons of the year, including 'Gyeoul (1)' for winter. Thanks to the district office's program, we even formed a meaningful sponsorship, which makes me feel supported and gives me strength."

On the 8th, Im Mihyun (33), a mother of multiple children, shared her thoughts at the '1 Company 1 Multi-Child Family Sponsorship Ceremony' held at Songpa Academy.

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced on the 14th that it will continue the '1 Company 1 Multi-Child Family Sponsorship,' where families with four or more children and local companies or organizations form sponsorship partnerships.

The '1 Company 1 Multi-Child Family Sponsorship' program was launched in 2012 by the district to reduce the economic burden on multi-child families and foster a birth-friendly social atmosphere. Except during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sponsorships have been held twice a year, reaching the 20th session.

Over the past 13 years, a total of 171 companies and organizations have supported 288 families with 350 million KRW in childcare expenses.

This sponsorship includes 14 multi-child families and 10 companies and organizations participating together. Going forward, multi-child families will receive 100,000 KRW monthly for one year from the sponsoring companies.

The sponsorship has maintained steady partnerships from the first session with ▲Songpa-gu Korean Medicine Association ▲Seoul Private Taxi Cooperative Saemaeul Geumgo, and this year, new participants include ▲Green Narae CNS ▲Cheongmil.

Additionally, ▲Baekje Red Ginseng ▲Korea Health Management Association Seoul Gangnam Branch ▲Serving and Sharing Association ▲Songpa Goeunbit Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic ▲Korea Forest Cooperative ▲Daemyung Welfare Foundation are involved.

Notably, this year saw an increase in fourth-born children, making the sponsorship even more meaningful. Due to low birth rates, the number of fourth-born children in Songpa-gu has been declining since 2021, with only nine last year. As of October this year, the number rose to 14, a 56% increase.

Meanwhile, as of 2023, the number of births in Seoul is 39,456. Among them, Songpa-gu recorded 2,968 births, the highest among the 25 autonomous districts. This year, as of October, Songpa-gu had 326 birth registrations, ranking first, 47 more than second-place Gangseo-gu with 279.

In response, the district is striving to create a birth- and child-rearing-friendly environment by strengthening childcare services, opening Seoul-style kids cafes, expanding toy libraries, and increasing native English classes in daycare centers.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, expressed, "We deeply thank the companies and organizations leading social contributions through continuous sponsorships," adding, "We will continue to create a child-friendly environment and prepare various policies and support to overcome the low birth rate issue."