Shinan County Implements 'Special Leave System' for Pregnant Public Officials

Creating a Childcare-Friendly Environment Through Ordinance Revision

Shinan County, South Jeolla Province (Governor Park Woolyang) announced on the 26th that it had amended the "Shinan County Local Public Officials Service Ordinance" on the 20th through a regular session of the county council to support special leave (maternity protection leave) for pregnant employees.

Through the revised ordinance, the existing pregnancy checkup leave (10 days) and maternity protection leave (30 days) are now linked, allowing pregnant employees to take one special leave day per week during the 40-week pregnancy period. This enables a four-day workweek during pregnancy, helping employees maintain a healthy body and mind for childbirth.

Exterior view of Shinan County Office.

In addition, long-term service leave, which was previously granted only to public officials with more than 10 years of service, will now be extended to employees with between 3 and 10 years of service, granting them 5 days of leave. This aims to prevent early-career public officials from leaving and to provide opportunities for rest and recharge.

Governor Park Woolyang stated, "With this ordinance revision, we will do our best to create a work environment where marriage, childbirth, and childcare can be balanced, establishing a childcare-friendly organizational culture."

Meanwhile, the county has been working to create a childbirth and childcare-friendly environment by expanding childcare time up to 6th grade in elementary school through ordinance revision, installing dedicated lounges and parking spaces for pregnant women, and fostering a culture where flexible work and childcare time can be freely used.