Kim Moonsoo, Policy Debate on Full Implementation of Free Education for 5-Year-Olds

National Assembly Library Auditorium on the 26th

Moonsoo Kim, Member of the National Assembly.

Kim Moonsu, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye-gap in Jeollanam-do, announced on the 17th that he will hold a policy forum on the theme "Full Implementation of Free Education for 5-Year-Olds: How to Realize Free Education and Childcare for Infants and Young Children Amidst the Low Birth Rate Crisis" at 2 p.m. on the 26th in the National Assembly Library auditorium.

The Yoon Suk-yeol administration announced the "Integrated Early Childhood Education and Care Implementation Plan (Draft)" in June last year, stating that it would gradually expand free education and childcare starting with 5-year-olds this year. However, the government budget did not include funding for this project, and the national treasury allocation was "zero won."

In response, Representative Kim demanded an increase in the national treasury allocation for free education and childcare for 5-year-olds. The National Assembly passed a revised bill allowing the use of reserve funds for this purpose through the general budget provisions. However, the government has ignored the National Assembly's decision and has not executed the budget.

This forum will discuss ways to fully implement the free education and childcare policy for 5-year-olds and explore solutions for realizing free education and childcare for infants and young children amidst the low birth rate crisis.

At the forum, Kim Geunjin, a research fellow at the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education, will deliver a keynote presentation on "The Current Status and Challenges of Free Education and Childcare Policy for Infants and Young Children." Panelists will include Lee Sangmin, senior research fellow at the Korea Institute of Public Finance; Nam Jeomsun, director of the Childcare Policy Division at the Ministry of Education; Heo Hyunju, chair of the Public Sector Committee at the Korea Association of Public Daycare Centers; Shin Misuk, president of the Korea Kindergarten Association; Jo Miyeon, president of the Korea Home Daycare Association; and Kim Wonbae, vice chair of the Early Childhood Education Committee at the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, who will engage in in-depth discussions.

Representative Kim stated, "In a situation where the low birth rate crisis is severe, the policy of free education and childcare for infants and young children must be implemented without setbacks. This forum will serve as an important venue for discussions on the future of Korea."