Achievements Recognized for Childbirth and Child-Rearing Friendly Policies
Including Parental Leave Work Substitute Allowance and 10 a.m. Start Initiative
Gwangju City received the Prime Minister's Commendation at the 14th Population Day Ceremony held on the 11th, organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in recognition of its efforts to overcome the population crisis through measures addressing low birth rates and creating a child-rearing friendly environment. Photo by Gwangju City
On July 13, Gwangju City announced that it had received the Prime Minister's Commendation at the 14th Population Day Ceremony held on the 11th, organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in recognition of its efforts to overcome the population crisis through measures addressing low birth rates and creating a child-rearing friendly environment.
In the midst of the low birth rate crisis, the city has pursued a total of 51 low birth rate initiatives up to this year under the goal of "Gwangju, a city where mothers and fathers can feel at ease and go all in on raising children." The city has consistently worked to promote work-life balance and reduce the burden of child-rearing.
In particular, the city has led a shift in social perceptions regarding marriage and childbirth through 18 initiatives, including public-private partnership projects, efforts to improve awareness of low birth rates, and policies encouraging voluntary citizen participation. These efforts were a key factor in receiving the award.
The city's flagship policy, the "10 a.m. Start for Elementary School Parents" initiative, has gained significant support from citizens and has been nicknamed the "Late Arrival Incentive." It was also introduced as an exemplary policy at last year's Central-Local Government Cooperation Meeting. This system allows parents of elementary school students to start work at 10 a.m. by adopting a flexible work schedule, thereby reducing the burden of seeing their children off to school and providing care in the morning.
Additionally, the "Parental Leave Work Substitute Allowance," which was first introduced nationwide in 2019, has become a leading model for work-life balance support policies and has been expanded this year to a nationwide program by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
Furthermore, the city continues to provide practical support for child-rearing families in partnership with the private sector, including the operation of public late-night pediatric hospitals, a child-rearing support package for small business owners, and a dedicated card for families with multiple children, offering care, medical, and financial assistance.
Ko Gwangwan, Deputy Mayor for Administrative Affairs, stated, "For Gwangju to become a sustainable city, it must not only provide good jobs for young people in future industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and future mobility, but also create an environment where it is easy to have and raise children. We will further strengthen the ecosystem for addressing low birth rates by encouraging the participation of both businesses and civil society."
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