Seoul’s “Birth Support Seoul Project” is aimed at addressing the country’s declining birth rate crisis. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on March 6 that it will become the first city in South Korea to provide maternity leave benefits to single-person business owners and freelancers, with applications opening March 11.
The groundbreaking initiative is part of the city’s “Birth Support Seoul Project,” aimed at addressing the country’s declining birth rate crisis. The program will help offset income losses for self-employed individuals and freelancers who previously had to choose between work and taking maternity leave.
Under the new program, self-employed individuals and freelancers who give birth will receive a total of 2.4 million won in maternity benefits. This includes 1.5 million won from the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s “maternity benefits for those not covered by employment insurance,” plus an additional 900,000 won from the city. Mothers who give birth to more than one child will receive 3.2 million won, with the city providing an extra 1.7 million won.
The city expects to support 2,060 individuals this year, based on 2023 data from the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office. Officials emphasized that if the budget is depleted early, additional funds will be allocated in next year’s budget to ensure no eligible person misses out on benefits.
In addition, self-employed individuals, freelancers, and platform workers whose spouses give birth can receive up to 800,000 won in paternity leave benefits. This support is available regardless of income level, provided the applicant has engaged in income-generating activities for at least three months within the 18 months before their spouse’s delivery date.
The benefits are available to Seoul residents whose children were born after April 22, 2023. Couples meeting both maternity and paternity leave benefit requirements can receive both forms of support.
Applications can be submitted through the city’s Mongttang Information Portal. The application window extends to one year from the date of birth for maternity benefits and one year from the end of paternity leave for spousal benefits. Special provisions allow those who gave birth between April 22 and June 30, 2024, to apply until June 30, 2025.
“We will continue to create a birth-friendly environment ensuring no one is left out of childbirth and childcare policies,” said Kim Sun-soon, head of Seoul’s Women and Family Policy Office.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
