Bucheon City Expands Culture of Consideration for Pregnant Women... 'Free Pass' at Public and Multi-Use Facilities

Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced on January 12 that it will officially implement the 'Priority Service for Comfortable Moms (Free Pass) System,' focusing on major public institutions and multi-use facilities to promote a culture of consideration for pregnant women.

This system is a policy designed to support pregnant women, allowing them to receive services immediately at civil service counters, financial institutions, and convenience facilities without long wait times, while also raising awareness of the program through signs and markings. In December of last year, the city established the institutional foundation for this initiative by enacting the 'Ordinance on Respect and Support for Pregnant Women.'

A pregnant woman is using the 'Priority Service for Comfortable Moms' counter set up at the Dong Administrative Welfare Center. Provided by Bucheon City

The city has created a 'priority use environment' equipped with priority counters and dedicated entry systems for pregnant women at public health centers, Dong Administrative Welfare Centers with civil service offices, and major leisure and sports facilities. Starting with certain areas such as Jung-dong, Gogangbon-dong, Sang-dong, and Okgil-dong, the city plans to expand this system to all Dong Administrative Welfare Centers by the end of this month.

To help both pregnant women and the general public easily recognize and practice the system, the city is actively working to spread a culture of consideration in daily life by placing informational stickers and signs in highly visible locations.

In addition, Bucheon City plans to expand the system to not only public institutions such as post offices and tax offices, but also banks and lifestyle service businesses. The city will also implement measures to allow pregnant women and their children to have priority access to programs at local facilities such as welfare centers, women's centers, work and rest support centers, and youth centers, tailored to the characteristics of each facility.

A Bucheon City official stated, "We will carefully address and support even the smallest inconveniences pregnant women experience in daily life, creating an atmosphere of consideration and encouragement. We also plan to expand participation to private sectors such as financial institutions and large retail facilities, so that the system can be operated effectively in the field."