"7.64 Million Won in 2 Weeks"…Seoul Postpartum Care Center Fees 50% Higher Than National Average

Seoul Postpartum Care Centers 38-51% More Expensive Than Nationwide
Only 35% Disclose Costs on Website

The average two-week usage fee for postpartum care centers in Seoul is approximately 4.78 million KRW for a standard room, which is about 1.31 million KRW more expensive than the national average (3.47 million KRW).

This is a stock photo of a postpartum care center and is unrelated to the article content.

On the 26th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the results of a service and fee survey conducted on 110 private postpartum care centers across the city. According to the survey, the usage fees for private postpartum care centers in Seoul far exceeded the national average. The average two-week usage fee was 4.78 million KRW for a standard room and 7.64 million KRW for a deluxe room, which are 38% and 51% higher, respectively, compared to the national averages (3.47 million KRW for a standard room, 5.04 million KRW for a deluxe room). The average fee for public postpartum care centers was 2.3 million KRW, about half the average fee of private standard rooms. However, the city explained that there was no significant difference between private and public centers in terms of maternal care, newborn care, and convenience facilities.

Additionally, although all surveyed private postpartum care centers offered paid additional services, only 35% of them accurately posted the costs. When postpartum care centers provide paid additional services either directly or through partner companies, it is mandatory under Article 15-16 of the Maternal and Child Health Act to disclose service items, fee structures, and refund policies on their websites. Failure to comply may result in corrective orders and fines imposed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

From January 2021 to March of this year, about three years, the Korea Consumer Agency received 495 cases (50.5%) related to contract cancellations, terminations, and penalties, and 181 cases (18.5%) related to contract breaches concerning postpartum care centers. To prevent such damages, the city plans to request the Fair Trade Commission to review unfair terms that infringe on consumer rights under Article 19 of the Act on the Regulation of Terms and Conditions, in cooperation with the Korea Women’s Consumer Union.

Regarding violations of the postpartum care center price display obligation, the city also plans to request the Ministry of Health and Welfare to review violations of the Maternal and Child Health Act and to provide guidance and supervision. Kim Kyung-mi, Director of the Fair Economy Division of Seoul City, stated, "Consumer damages caused by opaque price displays and unfair terms continue. We will do our best to protect consumers by actively promoting institutional improvements on consumer issues closely related to citizens' lives."