“How could the 500,000-won postpartum care subsidy be abruptly abolished?” Gyeonggi residents protest as Choo Mi-ae calls it “an unavoidable choice”

[Financial News] Amid a wave of opposition from Gyeonggi residents to the decision to end Gyeonggi Province’s postpartum care subsidy program, Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae has asked for their understanding, calling it “an unavoidable choice.”
On the 13th, Governor Choo explained the background to the decision in a social media post: “This year’s budget was initially allocated for only nine months, and there was no money left to cover the three-month gap. We could not allow school meals and support for people with disabilities and vulnerable groups to stop as well.” She added, “After tightening our belts and cutting spending again and again, we faced a situation in which we had no choice but to make an unavoidable selection among various programs using the limited funds we had managed to secure.”
She added, “The executive branch held repeated discussions,” and said she had accepted its recommendation that, rather than adding provincial funds to a program such as postpartum care subsidies that already receives some national funding, it was more important to support infertility treatment costs for couples, which would otherwise run out in September under the original budget plan.
Governor Choo continued, “Gyeonggi Province’s finances are currently in a very concerning situation, and as governor, I am making efforts on multiple fronts with a heavy sense of responsibility to restore the province’s finances.” She emphasized, “I will definitely put Gyeonggi Province’s finances back on a normal track.”
Earlier, Gyeonggi Province decided to operate its postpartum care subsidy program only through applications submitted this month and then end it, as similar support programs, including the government’s First Encounter Voucher and childbirth subsidies provided by cities and counties, have become established and expanded.
To ease the financial burden on families who have given birth and protect the health of mothers and newborns, Gyeonggi Province had provided 500,000 won in local currency per newborn to families residing in the province.
Residents have been voicing their opposition to the decision to end the program through the Gyeonggi Province Petition website. As of the morning of the 14th, more than 17,400 people had joined a petition titled “Opposition to the Abrupt Abolition of Gyeonggi Province’s Postpartum Care Subsidy,” which was posted there on the 9th. If more than 10,000 people agree to a petition, the governor must issue an official response.
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter