Siheung-si Supports Unregistered Birth Children Through Public-Private Partnership

Medical Expense Support and Caregiver Education with "Project 169" Launched
Mayor Im Byungtaek: "A Milestone for Expanding Children's Rights Protection and Welfare"

Siheung City in Gyeonggi Province is launching support for unregistered children through public-private cooperation.

On the 8th, Siheung City signed a "Business Agreement for the Protection of the Rights of Unregistered Children" with JB Woori Capital, the Korea Committee for UNICEF, and Sincheon Union Hospital at the City Hall Global Center. This agreement aims to protect children who have been excluded from education, welfare, and health services due to lack of birth registration.

At the 'Business Agreement Ceremony for Guaranteeing the Basic Rights of Unregistered Birth Children' held at Siheung City Hall on the 8th, Choi Jin-seok, Executive Director of External Cooperation Headquarters at JB Financial Group (from the left), Park Chun-won, CEO of JB Woori Capital, Jo Mi-jin, Secretary General of the UNICEF Korea Committee, Oh In-yeol, Chairman of Siheung City Council, Lim Byung-taek, Mayor of Siheung, Kim Jung-eun, Director of Sincheon Union Hospital, and Oh Ki-yong, Executive Director of Management Support Headquarters at JB Woori Capital, are holding up the agreement document. Provided by Siheung City Photo by Siheung City Public Relations Officer

The partner organizations will implement "Project 169" from this month until December, providing medical expense support for unregistered children aged 0 to 36 months residing in Siheung City and educational services for their caregivers. The name "Project 169" is inspired by the 9th target of the 16th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which states "By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration."

The total project budget is approximately 240 million KRW, funded through a UNICEF fund sponsored by JB Woori Capital. The project will offer support for infant health checkups, medical and pharmaceutical expenses, and provide parenting education content covering age-specific vaccinations, breastfeeding, and play methods.

The project is led by Sincheon Union Hospital with financial support from JB Woori Capital. The Korea Committee for UNICEF is responsible for overall planning, operation, and effectiveness research of the project.

Oh In-yeol, Chairperson of the Siheung City Council, said, "This agreement has created a new model of public-private cooperation to protect children's rights," adding, "I hope this project becomes an important turning point that opens a better future for unregistered children."

Im Byung-taek, Mayor of Siheung, also stated, "This project will serve as an opportunity to further expand the city's accumulated efforts in protecting children's rights and welfare services," and added, "I hope the valuable outcomes and experiences gained through this project will spread nationwide as a model for sustainable solutions."

Previously, Siheung City enacted the "Ordinance for the Discovery and Support of Unregistered Children" in 2023, the first of its kind nationwide, and has provided administrative support to 58 children so far.