Horam’s birth is particularly significant as she is the first baby to benefit from Incheon’s ’100 Million+i Dream’ childbirth policy. (Image courtesy of Incheon City)
INCHEON, Jan. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – On the first day of 2024, a joyous event took place at the Gachon University Gil Hospital: the birth of a healthy baby girl weighing 3.4 kg. The newborn, affectionately nicknamed ‘Horam’, combines the characters ‘Ho’ from her father Choi Ho-kyu (40) and ‘Ram’ from her mother Kim Bo-ram (36).
Horam is the couple’s first child, born after three years of marriage. Choi Ho-kyu shared his emotions with News1, saying, “My wife struggled a lot with morning sickness during her pregnancy, and hearing about the breech presentation, we decided on a cesarean section. We are relieved and overjoyed that she was born healthy.”
Choi also expressed his current concerns, mainly for his wife’s health, and revealed plans for naming their daughter either Dae-eun or Yeon-woo. He shared a smile, declaring himself a proud ‘ddalbabo’, a father who dotes on his daughter.
Horam’s birth is particularly significant as she is the first baby to benefit from Incheon’s ’100 Million+i Dream’ childbirth policy. Previously announced by the city government, this policy aims to support children born after January 1, 2024, providing over 100 million won in benefits until they turn 18 as part of an initiative to encourage childbirth.
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok personally visited the hospital to congratulate the family and assure them of the city’s full support. Mayor Yoo stated, “We hope that children born in the year of the blue dragon will help overcome South Korea’s population crisis. Incheon will strive to reduce the parental burden of childbirth and childcare.”
Choi Ho-kyu, speaking to News1, highlighted the significance of this policy for couples hesitant about having children due to various burdens. He expressed hope for changes in societal perceptions and more freedom in policies like paternity leave.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
