Advance Child Support Payment System Launched: 500 Applications on First Day Despite System Concerns

Advance Child Support Payment System Begins in July
Over 500 Applications on First Day
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family: "Operating to Prevent Any Server Disruptions"

Starting in July, the government began implementing the "advance child support payment system," under which single-parent families raising children alone receive a monthly payment of 200,000 won in advance from the state, which is later recovered from the non-custodial debtor. On the first day of implementation alone, more than 500 applications were submitted.

According to the Child Support Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, more than 500 applications for the advance payment system were received via the agency's website and by mail on July 1, the first day of implementation.

This system allows custodial parents who have not received child support to apply for advance payment from the government, which is then recovered from the child support debtor at a later date. The system was introduced this month after the National Assembly passed the amendment to the "Act on the Enforcement and Support of Child Support Payment" last year. The program is expected to create a more stable environment for single-parent families and reinforce the child support responsibilities of non-custodial parents.

The advance payment applies to minor children in households whose income is at or below 150% of the median income, where the custodial parent has not received child support for three consecutive months or three consecutive payments despite efforts to enforce payment. The estimated number of eligible minors is around 13,000. The amount of advance payment is 200,000 won per minor child per month, and payments continue until the child reaches adulthood.

Although there were concerns that the system was not fully established ahead of the official launch, there was significant interest, as demonstrated by the surge in applications on the first day. Previously, Democratic Party lawmaker Baek Seungah pointed out that key systems, such as debtor asset collection, had not been properly established. In response, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family stated, "We are building the system in stages to ensure the advance child support payment system is implemented without issues," and added, "The application and payment system for advance payments has been fully developed."

On the first day, a large number of applicants caused delays in connecting to the Child Support Agency's phone lines and some confusion, but the system is now operating normally.

The Child Support Agency stated, "We have established server redundancy and a traffic distribution system to ensure stable operation," and added, "We will continue to make every effort to thoroughly manage the system so that no access disruptions occur."