South Korea is one of the countries with the most lower birth rate, the 2nd after Taiwan. Korea's lowest fertility rate in the world is 0.92 as of last year (2021). Therefore, the government is putting a lot of effort into raising these numbers.
Below you have the perks of having a baby in Korea, what you have to do, how to do it, and when.
Perks
The South Korean government will reward childbirth with 2 million won ($1,826) and pay 300,000 won monthly until the child becomes 1 from 2022 as the latest measure to aid the country’s stubbornly low birth rate.
The government will dole out an immediate cash gift of 2 million won for birth from 2022. The voucher limit for expectant mothers will stretch to 1 million won, which means a mother will be compensated with 3 million won for having a child and giving birth.
Couples also would get 3 million won in monthly coverage during their three-month parental leave.
Small and mid-size enterprises that keep returnees for one or more years after employees come back from parental leave will be given 15 to 30 percent tax credit benefits, up from 5 to 10 percent. SMEs will also receive 2 million won in monthly funds for three months with employees on parental leave.
How to get all the perks?
The very first thing to do is to apply for the pregnancy support program as soon as you verify your pregnancy and it must be supported by a medical certificate from the hospital you went to test. They will verify the baby, the heartbeat, and of course your body.
Application for pregnancy assistance can be processed online for Korean couples and multicultural families; however, physical presence is necessary when applying for the ATM card at the bank, which is called the Haengbok card (극민행복카드) (check the affiliated banks near your home).
With both ATM cards, you can receive an amount of 500,000-600,000 KRW (depending on your family's financial status) that can be used for checkups. The Haeng-bok (극민행복카드) card itself can be shown at pre-and post-natal tests and medical procedures to cover the cost, as well as delivery fees for certain products.
Aside from prenatal monetary assistance, a pregnant woman can also visit the local health centers (also known as ‘bo-geon-so’ 보건서) to receive free folic acid and iron capsules.
Some health centers have additional gifts such as products for newborns or pregnancy kits and booklets. You will also receive a pregnancy diary. Depending on your financial status, you may qualify for subsidies on medical expenses.
They also handed out a pregnancy tag that you can place on your handbag to signify to others that you are pregnant, even when you are not showing. This is so you can use the designated seats on public transport for pregnant women.
The government also offers some free activities such as yoga, counseling, and other classes (like breastfeeding classes) that will ensure one’s mental and physical stability and wellbeing. Also, after birth, you can apply to rent a breast pump device for free.
Giving Birth in Korean Hospitals
Giving birth in Korea is very convenient and has the most organized programs ever.
Hospitals are not crowded, the medical staff is usually very friendly, comforting, and accommodating.
Nursing the baby is assisted by the nurses (both bottle and breastfeeding). They call moms to go to the nursing room during feeding time and they also provide an electric breast pump during your stay. You might also be lucky to get presents on top of the hospital gift for your baby.
Post-partum care in Korea
Korean postpartum care centers (산후조리원) step in to save the day. These centers function like hotels where new moms and newborns go to rest and bond for about a week or two. Though the price may differ for each postpartum care center, the minimum cost can be estimated to be about 2,000,000 won per week. This may sound pricey for some people, but it includes the costs for meals, snacks, massages, lactational advice classes, and other accommodations of your choice.
Another option for new mothers is to hire a postpartum caregiver. This caregiver is a “nanny” who helps care for your baby, such as changing diapers, feeding, and putting him or her to sleep. She also helps you by cleaning the house and preparing food for you; however, you must prepare the ingredients for her. The duration of this service lasts for about a week, 5 working days, to three weeks, 15 working days.
The government partially pays for this service, so don’t be alarmed by the caregiver fee. You can also receive at least 300,000 won back after the service ends if you submit the receipt of the caregiver company back to your registered district’s public health service (보건소).
Check the Korean governmental social welfare for more information.
What was your experience with pregnancy in Korea? Would you like to have a baby in this country?
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