Support of 23.94 Million Won Per Year, 57.6 Million Won Until Age 7
"We Will Make Gangjin a Great Place to Raise Children"
Gangjin County in Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jinwon) announced on the 7th that a New Year's baby was born with a powerful cry on January 3rd, welcoming the year of the Blue Snake in 2025.
A healthy first daughter weighing 2.93kg was born to mother Jung Suhyeon and father Choi Jihyun, who reside in Gangjin-eup. The baby's prenatal nickname is Bokboki, which was chosen with the hope that she will receive many blessings.
County Governor Kang Jinwon is waving to mother Jeong Suhyeon, her husband Choi Jihyeon, and their newborn baby Bokbok. Provided by Gangjin County
The couple said, "We are relieved that our baby was born healthy, and we hope Bokboki will grow up bright and happy. We are grateful and reassured to receive various support from Gangjin County, such as the nation’s best childcare allowance and postpartum care subsidies. We expect these policies will greatly help with parenting."
Governor Kang Jinwon visited the hospital where the New Year's baby was born and said, "I sincerely congratulate you on the birth of the New Year's baby and wish for Bokboki to grow up happy and healthy. I hope Gangjin will be filled with the sound of babies crying in the year of the Blue Snake, a symbol of wisdom and luck," offering his congratulations and well wishes.
Meanwhile, Gangjin County has reversed 12 years of declining birth rates with its top-level childcare allowance policy implemented since October 2022. In 2023, the county recorded 154 newborns, a remarkable 65.6% increase, and achieved the nation’s second-highest total fertility rate of 1.47, marking a turning point in birth rate growth.
In 2024, the number of newborns is expected to reach 170, an 82.8% increase compared to 2022 and a 10.4% rise from 2023, showing a continuous increase in birth rates since the introduction of the childcare allowance.
The county provides a total of 23.94 million won in support to families with newborns over one year, including 7.2 million won in childcare allowance, 12 million won in parental benefits, 1.2 million won in child allowance, 2 million won in the first meeting voucher, and 1.54 million won for postpartum care, averaging about 2 million won per month.
Additionally, to ease the burden of raising children up to age seven after the first year, the county supports a total of 57.6 million won, including 43.2 million won in childcare allowance, 6 million won in parental benefits, and 8.4 million won in child allowance.
Furthermore, Gangjin County plans to increase the birth rate by creating a family-friendly environment through a package of measures, including expanding play facilities such as Mam Pyeonhan Center, a wooden playground, and Gangjinman Ecological Experience Center; strengthening childcare with the Gangjin County Childcare Support Center and Gangjin-style Child Care Plus; designating special education development zones; and remodeling vacant houses to improve both educational and residential conditions.
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