Promotion of 'Paju-type Together Care Center'... Growing into a Child-Friendly City

Investment of 28.3 Billion Won by 2029
47 Additional Dahamtge Care Centers to Be Established

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 23rd that it has established a five-year (2025?2029) basic plan to expand the operation of the ‘Dahamtge Care Center’ to strengthen the local care system in response to the increasing demand for elementary school childcare due to continuous population inflow, and will promote the ‘Paju-type Dahamtge Care Center.’

Paju City is promoting the 'Paju-style Together Care Center' in response to the increasing demand for elementary school childcare due to continuous population inflow. The photo shows the 'Care for a Happy Family' event. Photo by Paju City

The Dahamtge Care Center is a social welfare facility established and operated to provide care services outside of regular elementary school hours under the 'Child Welfare Act.' It supports care for children aged 6 to 12 (elementary school students) who need care regardless of income.

Paju City plans to invest 28.3 billion won (100% city funds) to install and operate ‘Paju-type Dahamtge Care Centers’ at 62 locations throughout Paju by 2029. The plan is to sequentially establish 11 centers in 2025, 10 in 2026, 10 in 2027, 8 in 2028, and 8 in 2029.

In January 2025, a demand survey will be conducted first, and priority complexes for installation will be selected through the ‘Paju City Regional Care Council.’ Additional budgets will be secured between April and June, and after selecting a trustee to operate the centers and completing facility renovations, 11 centers are scheduled to open within the year.

As of January 2025, a total of 290 children in Paju City are using the Dahamtge Care Centers. If the ‘Paju-type Dahamtge Care Center’ system is completed as planned by 2029, it is expected that 1,550 children will be able to use the facilities, and employment creation effects for 248 people, including center directors and care teachers, are also anticipated.

Mayor Kim Kyung-il of Paju City said, “Due to the increase in dual-income households, delays in the opening of elementary schools in the Unjeong New Town, and overcrowded classes, the demand for public care is rapidly increasing,” adding, “The ‘Paju-type Dahamtge Care Center’ is expected to play an important role in Paju City’s growth as a city that is good for raising children.”