Ten New Projects Added Compared to Last Year...
New Initiatives Include Pregnancy Support Fund and Senior Companion Service
Lee Sang-il: "We Will Enhance Policy Quality by Reflecting Citizens' Opinions"
Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 4th that it will invest 621.7 billion KRW in 109 policies this year to respond to low birth rates and an aging society.
The city explained that it has prepared policies reflecting the local population structure in line with the government's '4th Basic Plan for Low Birth Rate and Aging Society,' '2024 Measures to Reverse the Declining Birth Trend,' and '2025 Directions for Responding to a Super-Aged Society.'
This year, the city especially introduced four new projects: ▲Pregnancy Support Fund Payment ▲Senior Companion Service ▲Youth First-Time Home Purchase Loan Interest Support ▲Smart Senior Centers.
The Pregnancy Support Fund Payment project provides 300,000 KRW in local currency to pregnant women who have been residing in Yongin for more than 180 days and are over 20 weeks pregnant. For young people purchasing their first home, the city supports 1% of the loan balance up to a maximum of 1 million KRW. In 60 senior centers across the region, smart senior centers equipped with video conferencing systems, smart healthcare, and Internet of Things (IoT) safety facilities will be established.
In addition, to overcome low birth rates, 234 billion KRW will be invested in 47 projects including parental allowances, support for assistant teachers at daycare centers, expansion of municipal daycare centers and care centers, and support for new students' enrollment preparation costs. Starting this year, heating and cooling expenses for all daycare centers in the region will be increased to 200,000 KRW annually. The 'Mom-Tun-Tun Livestock Product Package Support,' designed to help mothers recover their health, will also be increased from 50,000 KRW to 100,000 KRW.
To actively respond to an aging society, a budget of approximately 359.387 billion KRW will be allocated to 18 projects including basic pensions, senior job programs, customized care services for the elderly, and strengthened dementia prevention and management.
The city plans to invest 19.2 billion KRW in 33 projects to support economic independence and employment for youth and middle-aged adults. Additionally, family support and social safety net projects such as heating cost support for low-income single-parent families, universal care services, and sickness benefits will also be implemented.
Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin City, said, "We will establish and operate detailed policies so that all citizens, regardless of generation or gender, can be happy and not excluded from welfare benefits in response to social changes," adding, "We will actively reflect citizens' opinions to enhance the completeness of our policies."
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