Shinan County pushes child-rearing allowance of up to 700,000 won a month
In short
Shinan County in South Jeolla said on Oct. 6 that it is moving to create a county child-rearing allowance, adding 400,000 won in county funds to the government's 300,000-won child allowance for a target of up to 700,000 won a month through age 7 (84 months). The county says the plan is part of its welfare and medical reform pledge and aims to ease parents' costs and childcare gaps amid continued low birthrates. It will collect resident views at a policy discussion on Oct. 7 before finalising the details.
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Shinan County in South Jeolla said on Oct. 6 that it is pushing to create a new “Shinan County child-rearing allowance,” according to both Newsis and Yonhap. The county said the goal is to add 400,000 won in county funds to the government child allowance of 300,000 won a month, for a maximum of 700,000 won a month. The target payment period is up to age 7, or 84 months. [ 1 , 2 ]
The county described the plan as part of a core pledge of the current locally elected term to improve welfare and medical systems. It said the aim is to overcome continuing low birthrates and to ease childcare gaps caused by rising child-rearing costs. It also said it will further strengthen its childcare system under the slogan “it takes a whole village to raise a child.” [ 1 , 2 ]
The county plans to hold a policy discussion with residents on Oct. 7 to hear a range of views, after which it says it will confirm a more concrete and practical direction for the support. No start date, budget or eligibility rules were given in either report. [ 1 , 2 ]
Shinan County head Kim Tae-sung said parents face substantial economic burdens, citing formula, diapers, learning tools and education fees. The two outlets quote his remarks differently: Yonhap reported him saying he would make a Shinan where parents can raise children together with stronger support, while Newsis reported him saying the county would strengthen its “childcare” system so the community shares the burden of having and raising children. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
If finalised, the plan would add county money on top of the national child allowance for families in Shinan with children up to age 7. The county frames it as a response to low birthrates and to childcare gaps caused by rising child-rearing costs, tied to its welfare and medical reform pledge. The documents give no start date or budget, and the 700,000-won amount is still a target to be confirmed after the Oct. 7 discussion.
Key facts
- Shinan County announced on Oct. 6 that it is pursuing the creation of a “Shinan County child-rearing allowance” (아동양육수당). [ 1 , 2 ]
- The county aims to add 400,000 won in county funds to the government child allowance of 300,000 won a month, for up to 700,000 won a month. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The target payment period is up to age 7, or 84 months. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The county says the measure is part of a core pledge of the current locally elected term to improve welfare and medical systems. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The county is to hold a policy discussion with residents on Oct. 7 to gather input before finalising a more specific support plan. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Shinan County head Kim Tae-sung said parents face substantial costs including formula, diapers, learning materials and education fees. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The county said it will strengthen its childcare system under the slogan “it takes a whole village to raise a child.” [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Shinan County is pursuing a new child-rearing allowance that would add county funds to the national child allowance, targeting up to 700,000 won a month up to age 7 (84 months). [ 1 , 2 ]
- The county plans to gather resident opinions at a policy discussion on Oct. 7 before confirming more concrete support measures. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The county describes the plan as part of its welfare and medical system improvement pledge and as a response to low birthrates and childcare gaps. [ 1 , 2 ]
- County head Kim Tae-sung commented on the economic burden parents feel, including formula, diapers, learning tools and education costs. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- When the allowance would begin and how much it would cost the county. Neither document gives a start date, budget or funding details beyond the 400,000 won in county funds.
- Whether the 700,000-won monthly amount and the age-7 limit will be finalised as announced. The documents describe these as targets and say the direction will be decided after the Oct. 7 discussion.
- What eligibility conditions residents would have to meet. No residency, income or other requirements are stated in the documents.
- The exact wording of the county head's remarks. The two outlets quote Kim Tae-sung differently on the outcome he wants for Shinan.