Inje County to raise postpartum care support to up to 1.5 mln won
In short
Inje County in Gangwon Province will raise its cap on postpartum care expense support from 500,000 won to up to 1.5 million won per mother, starting with babies born on or after 1 January 2027. The money is paid as reimbursement of actual costs and can cover care centre fees, postpartum massage, exercise classes, depression screening and treatment, and recovery items. The county counted 108 mothers expected to give birth next year as of 30 September.
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Inje County in Gangwon Province said on 5 October that it will raise its cap on postpartum care expense support from 500,000 won to up to 1.5 million won per mother, starting with babies born on or after 1 January 2027. The county said the change is intended to reduce the financial burden on families with a newborn as postpartum care costs rise. The support is paid as reimbursement of actual expenses within the cap. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The money can be used not only for postpartum care centre fees but also for postpartum massage, yoga and pilates classes, postpartum depression screening and treatment, and equipment such as pelvic correction devices, back and wrist supports and heating pads. Applicants must be parents who have both been registered as Inje County residents for at least six months before the baby's birth and have continued to live there. Mothers or guardians must apply within six months of the birth, in person at the county health centre's maternal and child health team, through the Government24 service or by registered mail, and must submit documents showing the spending and where it was made. [ 1 , 3 ]
The county said it analysed postpartum care conditions, its own support records and programmes run by other cities and counties in the province, and held consultations with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on changes to the social security system. A 2024 ministry survey found that 85.5% of mothers used a postpartum care centre and that the average cost was 2.865 million won. In Inje County's own support records, care centre fees accounted for 91% of use in 2024 and 93% last year. As of 30 September, the county counted 108 mothers expected to give birth next year. [ 1 , 3 ]
Lee Myung-ja, head of the health promotion division at the Inje County health centre, said the county would carry out the programme without disruption so that raising the ceiling to as much as 1.5 million won eases the financial burden on families with a newborn and helps create an environment good for having and raising children. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The change triples the county's previous support ceiling and comes as the county says the existing amount did not meaningfully reduce the cost of postpartum care. A national survey cited by the county put the average cost of a postpartum care centre at 2.865 million won, well above even the new cap. The measure is a county-level benefit, so its effect is limited to residents of Inje who meet the residency rules.
Key facts
- Inje County will raise its postpartum care support ceiling from 500,000 won to up to 1.5 million won per mother. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The higher ceiling applies to babies born on or after 1 January 2027. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Support is paid as reimbursement of actual expenses, up to the cap. [ 1 ]
- Eligible costs include postpartum care centre fees, postpartum massage, yoga and pilates classes, postpartum depression screening and treatment, and items such as pelvic correction devices, back and wrist supports and heating pads. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Both parents must have been registered as Inje County residents for at least six months before the birth and must continue to live there. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Applications must be filed within six months of the birth. [ 1 ]
- The county counted 108 mothers expected to give birth next year as of 30 September. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Inje County is expanding its postpartum care expense support to a maximum of 1.5 million won, up from 500,000 won. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The expanded support begins with babies born on or after 1 January 2027. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Covered uses include postpartum care centre fees, massage, exercise classes, depression screening and treatment, and recovery items. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Both parents must have been registered in Inje County for six months before the birth and continue to reside there. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The county counted 108 mothers expected to give birth next year as of 30 September. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The total budget for the expanded programme and the expected number of recipient households. The documents do not state the programme's budget or how many families are expected to receive the support.
- Whether the 93% share of care centre use in Inje County's support records refers to 2025. The article says “last year” without giving the year explicitly.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Asia Economy reports that Inje County will raise its postpartum care support ceiling to up to 1.5 million won from next year, effective for babies born from 1 January 2027. [ 1 ]
- Seoul Shinmun publishes a report headlined “Inje County expands postpartum care support… up to 1.5 million won”. [ 2 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reports the increase from 500,000 won to 1.5 million won, listing eligible expenses, eligibility rules and the 108 expected births. [ 3 ]