Yeosu City Hall (Image provided by the city of Yeosu)
YEOSU, Apr. 18 (Korea Bizwire) –In an effort to alleviate the financial strain associated with pregnancy, the city of Yeosu in South Jeolla Province has announced that it will provide an allowance of 500,000 won to expectant mothers.
According to Yeosu officials, previous support measures related to pregnancy, including a pregnancy confirmation fee, transportation expenses for pregnant women, screenings for birth defects, and gifts for new families, totaled around 290,000 won.
However, these programs have been consolidated and expanded into a new initiative called “Happy 40 Weeks in Yeosu.”
Under the “Happy 40 Weeks in Yeosu” program, eligible recipients are pregnant women who have been registered residents of Yeosu for at least six months prior to the application date, are currently residing in the city, and have a pregnancy confirmation date on or after January 1, 2024, as stated on their application for maternity medical expenses.
The 500,000 won allowance will be provided once per person annually. Those wishing to receive the support can apply by visiting the Yeosu Public Health Center or the Jungbu Public Health Branch Office.
The application deadline is set from the date of issuance of the maternity medical expenses application until before delivery. Pregnant women who have already given birth are ineligible for this support.
Hyun-sook Seo, the director of the Health Promotion Division, stated, “By consolidating existing programs and providing a lump-sum allowance increase with streamlined paperwork, we expect to enhance satisfaction among pregnant women.”
She added, “We will take a proactive approach to address issues related to pregnancy and low birth rates.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
