"A City Ideal for Raising Children"... Seongdong-gu Offers Gap-Filling Childcare Even During Vacations and Illness

Ranked First in Seoul for Childbirth and Childcare Welfare Index for Two Consecutive Years

On July 16, Seongdong-gu in Seoul (Mayor Jung Wono) announced that it has solidified its reputation as a city ideal for raising children by providing various childcare services to fill the gaps in care, such as when children fall ill during the school vacation period.

Jung Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, greeting students on their way to school in front of Haengdang Elementary School. Provided by Seongdong-gu.

To ensure the safety of children even during the summer vacation, Seongdong-gu will continue operating its "Walking School Bus" program. Traffic safety instructors accompany lower grade elementary school students who use after-school care classes or after-school programs on their way to and from school, taking responsibility for the safety of children who are vulnerable to traffic accidents and various crimes. In addition, parents are reassured by receiving real-time updates about their children's commute via social networking services (SNS).

The district also operates the "Our Child Safe Escort Center" to provide assistance when a child suddenly becomes ill. The center offers a "Hospital Escort Service," in which a care teacher accompanies the child throughout the entire hospital visit?from pick-up to medical treatment to returning home?and a "Bedside Care Service," in which a professional nurse provides care so that a sick child can recover in a comfortable environment. These customized care services, especially for vulnerable groups such as dual-income families, have received a highly positive response.

Seongdong-gu's distinctive care and childcare policies are also proven by data. In a recent survey on "Best Regions for Childbirth and Childrearing" (Childbirth and Childcare Welfare Index) conducted by three organizations, including the CaseStat Public Social Policy Research Institute, targeting 17 metropolitan cities and provinces and 65 cities, counties, and districts in the Seoul metropolitan area, Seongdong-gu ranked first among Seoul's autonomous districts for the second consecutive year, following last year's result. The evaluation was based on quantitative indicators in six areas, including welfare, childcare, safety, and healthcare, as well as qualitative indicators from resident surveys.

In particular, Seongdong-gu received a high score of 73.66 in the healthcare sector, an increase of nearly one point from last year, mainly due to the high number of hospitals and clinics for children in the area.

Additionally, in 2024, Seongdong-gu recorded a total fertility rate of 0.71, with an 11.11% increase compared to 2023, ranking first among Seoul's 25 autonomous districts. This further strengthened Seongdong-gu's image as a city ideal for childbirth and childrearing.

Jung Wono, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, "It is very meaningful that our continuous efforts to implement comprehensive policies for childbirth, childcare, and care?policies that reduce gaps in care and alleviate the burden of parenting?have received such positive responses from residents and externally." He added, "We will continue to do our utmost to make Seongdong-gu a childcare-friendly city where people can comfortably give birth and happily raise their children."