1,047 Families and 1,871 Children Selected as First Recipients of the Allowance
"Families with multiple children are national patriots." This is the bold solution proposed by Uljin County in response to the era of population decline.
With local extinction and low birth rates becoming nationwide issues in South Korea, Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province has opened a new path for low birth rate countermeasures, driven by the belief that protecting families is synonymous with protecting the region.
This path is embodied in the nation’s largest multi-child merit allowance, which began distribution on August 7.
The multi-child merit allowance targets children aged 1 to 12 in families raising two or more children. Regardless of the parents’ income or assets, the program provides 50,000 won per month for the first child and 100,000 won per month for each additional child.
After a one-month application period that began in July, the full-scale support program has now launched.
This allowance is distributed through a regional currency-based "multi-child merit card" to promote local consumption. Support will continue through the end of this year for those who meet the age and residency requirements.
On July 1, the first day of the program’s implementation, 510 families applied, drawing significant attention. By the first deadline of July 25, a total of 1,047 families and 1,871 children had been confirmed as beneficiaries and will receive the allowance on August 7. Applicants who applied after July 26 will receive their payments on September 7.
The multi-child merit allowance from Uljin County is especially meaningful as it goes beyond simply encouraging childbirth. It recognizes the contributions of families raising multiple children and marks the first step in supporting and celebrating such families.
It is also expected to help alleviate the increasing burden of childrearing that comes with having more children by providing practical support.
County Governor Son Byeongbok stated, "Giving birth to and raising children is an act of devotion to society. We will continue to work on establishing institutional support so that childbirth and childrearing become a joy, not a burden. We will also continue to promote and improve the system so that more families can benefit."
Uljin County plans to continue creating a family-friendly environment by linking various family policies, including childcare, education, and housing, to make Uljin a better place to have and raise children.
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