Full Implementation at Community Centers and Public Health Centers
Private Sector Participation Proposed for Supermarkets and Financial Institutions
Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gilseong) is implementing the "Pregnant Women All Free Pass" system to ensure that pregnant women can access civil services more quickly and conveniently. This initiative allows pregnant women to use a "fast track" for various civil services, enabling them to be assisted without long waits and giving them priority service.
Pregnant women can immediately receive services by presenting the "Mobile Seoul Pregnant Women Card" on the Seoul Wallet app, a pregnancy badge, a maternity handbook, or a pregnancy certificate. Since August 25, Jung-gu has fully introduced this system at the district office's civil service center, as well as in all departments including tax, real estate, and parking, local community centers, and public health centers. The program has also been expanded to facilities frequently visited by pregnant women, such as the Jung-gu Family Center, the Childcare Support Center, and kids' cafes.
Additionally, Jung-gu has proposed participation to the private sector, including supermarkets and financial institutions, so that pregnant women can receive priority at checkout counters and bank windows. In celebration of "Pregnant Women's Day" (October 10), the district will also conduct a "Pregnant Women Respect Culture Campaign" throughout Jung-gu until October 31 to further promote a culture of consideration in daily life.
Jung-gu is operating various support programs with the goal of becoming a city where it is easy to have and raise children. Notable examples include the "Jung-gu Home Care Service," which provides meals and cleaning for pregnant women; postpartum care support of up to 1.5 million won (1 million won from Seoul City and 500,000 won from Jung-gu); and childbirth and childcare support grants ranging from 1 million won for the first child to 10 million won for the fifth child or more.
Other detailed policies include providing eco-friendly agricultural product packages for pregnant women, distributing stickers to support families with newborns, and running prenatal classes on the Namsan Forest Trail, all of which have received positive responses from residents. In fact, the number of births in Jung-gu increased from 550 in 2023 to 612 last year, reversing the decline that had continued since 2019.
Kim Gilseong, Mayor of Jung-gu, stated, "I hope the Pregnant Women All Free Pass system will further spread a culture of respect for pregnant women," and added, "We will do our utmost to make Jung-gu a city where it is easy to have and raise children, ensuring that both the public and private sectors participate in establishing a culture of consideration for pregnant women."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
