Lee Donghwan Emerges as a 'Family Policy Leader' in Goyang
Goyang Receives Top Marks for Childbirth, Parenting, and Childcare
Wins 'Best City for Raising Children' Award for Two Consecutive Years
Receives Minister of Gender Equality and Family Award for Excellence in Family Policy
Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) is receiving nationwide attention for its proactive response to the low birth rate issue and its outstanding achievements in the areas of childbirth, parenting, and childcare.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, is receiving the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Award Grand Prize as a local government recognized for excellence in family policy at the "2025 Family Month Commemoration Ceremony" hosted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Provided by Goyang Special City
According to Goyang Special City on June 18, the city won the grand prize in the "Best City for Raising Children" category for the second consecutive year at the "2025 National Representative Brand Awards" hosted by Maekyung Media Group in May. In addition, at the "2025 Family Month Commemoration Ceremony" hosted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the city was recognized as a local government with outstanding family policies and, as the only local government in the country, received the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Award.
Goyang Special City is effectively reducing the financial burden on families through a variety of customized childbirth policies.
In particular, Goyang is the first in the nation to implement an interest subsidy program for jeonse and monthly rent loans for households without a home who have given birth, supporting 1,331 households this year alone. In addition, under the revised ordinance from July last year, a childbirth grant of 5 million won is provided for the birth of a fourth child, and 10 million won for the birth of a fifth child or more.
The culture of the community celebrating the birth of a child together is also spreading. Representative initiatives include the "Birth Celebration Rice Cake" and the "Multi-child Family Package" support programs.
There are also policies such as "Temporary Child Support" for single parents who do not receive child support, and a monthly living expense support of 1 million won for unmarried single parents with children under 36 months old.
Goyang Special City, in cooperation with private companies in the region, is promoting the "Goyang Multi-child e-Card" program, which provides various discount benefits to households with two or more children. Since last year, the city has also institutionalized the awarding of commendations for birth promotion to support and encourage multi-child families.
At the "Goyang Family Walking Festival" held at Ilsan Lake Park on June 14, comedian Jung Juri's family, who recently welcomed their fifth child, was invited and received a commendation for birth promotion.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, is taking a commemorative photo after awarding a commendation for birth promotion to comedian Jung Juri. Provided by Goyang Special City
Goyang Special City is also accelerating the expansion of its childcare infrastructure. Since April, the Goyang Municipal Rose Daycare Center in Wonsin-dong, Deogyang-gu, has been operating as an "Always Open Daycare Center," providing childcare services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of parents' working hours.
The city operates the largest child care support program in Gyeonggi Province. It supports families with children from three months to under 12 years old who experience a parenting gap, contributing to a stable childcare environment. As of May, 359 professional child caregivers provided in-home care services to 1,045 households, and the number of users continues to increase every year.
To prevent any gaps in childcare during weekends, nights, or emergencies, the Goyang Municipal Rose Daycare Center in Wonsin-dong, Deogyang-gu, has been operated as an "Always Open Daycare Center" since April. Any parent of a child aged six months to under seven years residing in the province can use the service at any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The city has also significantly expanded its part-time childcare services, operating seven independent classes and 30 integrated classes. The number of night extension daycare centers has increased from 108 last year to 153 this year, actively supporting dual-income families.
Shared Childcare Centers, where parents and children can use the facilities together, are also being continuously expanded. Following the opening of the second branch at the Todang Community Center in 2023, the third branch opened in Janghang Newlywed Hope Town in 2024.
The "Together Childcare Centers" for elementary school students are currently operated at seven locations, with plans to add three more by October. Along with 31 local children's centers, the city provides basic learning and special skills education programs to about 1,000 children.
The third branch of the 'Shared Childcare Center' within Janghang Newlywed Hope Town. Provided by Goyang Special City
Goyang City is also focusing on providing customized educational support for children from multicultural families. The 31 local children's centers and seven "Together Childcare Centers" currently in operation offer various programs, including basic learning and special skills education, to about 1,000 children. In particular, to meet the increasing demand from dual-income families, three additional "Together Childcare Centers" will be opened and begin operation by October.
This year, a total of 114 students are receiving programs in language development, basic learning, and career planning, and 449 children from low-income multicultural families are receiving support for academy and textbook fees.
In addition, through the Vulnerable and At-Risk Family Support Program, the city provided learning and emotional support services to 22 multicultural families experiencing emotional and financial difficulties. To promote mutual understanding and positive identity formation among members of multicultural families, a total of 157 individual, family, and group counseling sessions have been conducted, and continuous efforts are being made in this area.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, stated, "A livable city begins with happy families, so since the start of the 8th popularly elected administration, we have been dedicated to creating a family- and parenting-friendly city environment. We will continue to implement detailed and responsible support policies to make Goyang a city where children and parents can be happy together."
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