Presidential Office to Examine "How the Government Can Support Non-Marital Childbirth"

"Government Policy Applies Criteria Based on Children, Not Marriage"

On the 28th, the Presidential Office stated that in response to the increased social interest in 'non-marital childbirth' following actor Jung Woo-sung's birth of a child out of wedlock, "the government believes it should look into how it can provide support in certain areas going forward."

A senior official from the Presidential Office said during a meeting with reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office that day, "Although the rate of non-marital childbirth in our country is 4.7%, which is significantly lower than the OECD average of 42%, it is showing a recent upward trend."

The official added, "Currently, various policies such as child allowances and parental leave are applied based on the child, regardless of the parents' marital status. The government's consistent stance is to actively support every child born, whether from a single-parent family or other circumstances, and if there are any gaps, we will continue to make improvements."

Regarding the need to improve social perceptions of non-marital childbirth, the official said, "While there is childcare support, we believe there are aspects related to social discrimination and various systems that need to be addressed, and the government will ensure that all lives can grow up healthy and happy without discrimination."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 'Meeting to Support the Healthy Growth of Premature Infants' held on the 28th at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. Photo by Yonhap News