Seoul City: Paternity Leave Allowance for Self-Employed and Freelance Fathers Increased to Up to 1.2 Million Won

Paternity Leave Extended from 10 to 15 Days
Usage Period Expanded from 90 to 120 Days After Birth
1,077 Benefited Last Year... "Support for Various Industries"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has initiated institutional improvements, including extending the duration of paternity leave for self-employed individuals and freelance fathers.

In March last year, Seoul became the first in the nation to introduce 'Maternity Allowance for Pregnant Women' and 'Paternity Leave Allowance' for solo business owners and freelancers.

This year, Seoul announced on January 29 that it has improved the calculation criteria for leave days, the period of use, and the requirements for split use, so that paternity leave allowance can be used more efficiently according to work conditions and circumstances.

Starting with babies born this year, the maximum duration of paternity leave will be increased from the previous 10 days to 15 days. As a result, fathers will be able to receive up to 1.2 million won in paternity leave allowance.

Since self-employed individuals and freelancers, unlike office workers, often have irregular work patterns and may work on weekends or holidays, weekends and holidays will now be included in the paternity leave period.

The number of times paternity leave can be split, previously limited to two, will be increased to three. In addition, while leave previously had to be used within 90 days of the child's birth, it can now be used within 120 days.

Last year, 1,077 people received support through the paternity leave allowance, including 715 self-employed individuals and 362 freelancers. Fathers from various industries, such as delivery drivers, filmmakers, and software developers, took advantage of paternity leave.

Applications for maternity allowance for pregnant women and paternity leave allowance for self-employed individuals can be made through the Seoul Birth and Parenting Information Portal. Detailed information is available on the website or by calling the 120 Dasan Call Center.

Ma Chaesook, Director of the Women and Family Policy Office of Seoul, stated, "Seoul will continue to improve these systems by reflecting feedback from the field, so that childbirth and caregiving are not restricted by employment type or work patterns."