Yongsan District to Build Public Postpartum Care Center After Four Attempts

Installation of Donation-in-Kind Facilities Now Possible...
Regulatory Easing Achieved
No Response Yet to Request for Urban Parks and Green Spaces Act Amendment

Two months ago, the Seoul Metropolitan Council passed an amendment to the ordinance allowing public postpartum care centers, care centers, daycare centers, and other facilities supporting the elderly to be built as public contribution (donation in kind) facilities resulting from development projects.

Previously, only public rental apartments and dormitories could be constructed, but now public postpartum care centers have also become eligible for donation in kind. This regulatory change was made possible thanks to the persistent efforts of Yongsan District. Heeyoung Park, mayor of Yongsan District, began earnestly pursuing the construction of a public postpartum care center?a pledge of the eighth popularly elected administration?last year, but securing a site proved difficult. Not only was there a lack of suitable land, but land prices were also high due to many areas in Yongsan being slated for development. Laws and systems that failed to keep pace with reality hindered decision-making.

Heeyoung Park, head of Yongsan District Office, said, "Since public postpartum care centers are essential facilities, we will do our best in their establishment and operation." Provided by Yongsan District Office.

Last September, Mayor Park proposed regulatory relaxation at the district mayors' council, which included Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon and the mayors of all 25 districts, and this year submitted a proposal for deregulation by local governments, recommending the ordinance amendment. In November last year, a task force (TF) team was also formed at the public health center, and these efforts finally bore fruit.

Yongsan District's efforts to establish a public postpartum care center date back ten years. The first review took place in 2015, but the Mother and Child Health Act, which restricted the establishment of public postpartum care centers if private centers already existed in the district, became an obstacle. Subsequent amendments to related laws opened up new possibilities. However, in December 2017, the collective infection and death incident of newborns at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital halted discussions. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made any attempt impossible. It was only after the fourth attempt that the project could finally begin.

Yongsan District will conduct a 'feasibility study' until next month. Based on the results, the district will determine the optimal location for the center within this year and further specify the basic plan for its operation. A decision will soon be made on whether to construct a standalone building or to house the center within a multi-purpose facility. Mayor Park stated, "We also considered providing cash benefits to ensure all mothers receive support, but ultimately decided to build the infrastructure," adding, "There are many aspects that require careful attention, such as infection control, but since this is an essential facility, we will do our utmost in its establishment and operation."

Meanwhile, while requesting regulatory relaxation from the Seoul city government, Yongsan District also asked the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to consider including public postpartum care centers among the types of park facilities. The Urban Parks and Green Spaces Act currently allows for landscaping, recreational, and sports facilities, but not for facilities such as public postpartum care centers. Yongsan District explains that such changes could be made through an amendment to the enforcement regulations to better reflect current realities. However, no response has been received yet.

Heeyoung Park, mayor of Yongsan District (right), is sharing opinions with committee members at the kickoff briefing for the feasibility study on the establishment and operation of a public postpartum care center last March. Provided by Yongsan District.