ULSAN — Ulju County, Ulsan, is set to significantly increase financial support for new mothers, providing an additional ₩500,000 for postpartum care. This initiative, aimed at tackling the nation's severe low birth rate crisis, will bring the total postpartum support for Ulju residents to ₩1 million per child, combining with the existing ₩500,000 already offered by Ulsan Metropolitan City.

The "Ulju County Childbirth Promotion Support Ordinance" amendment, submitted by Ulju County Governor Lee Soon-geol, was recently approved with revisions by the county council's Administrative and Welfare Committee. This marks a pivotal shift in the county's strategy to bolster maternal and infant health while alleviating the financial burden on new families.

A New Chapter in Childbirth Incentives

The decision to provide direct financial assistance comes after the withdrawal of a long-standing plan to construct a public postpartum care center in Ulju. This proposed center was a key pledge during Governor Lee Soon-geol's election campaign (8th popularly elected local government). However, after extensive deliberation and a re-evaluation of strategies, the county opted for direct financial subsidies as a more immediate and accessible form of support.

Initially, the postpartum care subsidy was slated to begin on January 1, 2026, for children born after that date. However, during the county council's review, the implementation timeline was accelerated. The revised ordinance will now be effective immediately upon its promulgation, which is anticipated in early July. This means that families whose children are born around the time the ordinance is officially announced will also be eligible for the support, effectively bringing the start date forward by approximately six months.

County council member Kim Si-wook emphasized the reasoning behind this accelerated timeline. "Three years were lost in administrative decisions regarding the construction of a public postpartum care center and the subsequent decision to provide postpartum care expenses after the plan was scrapped," Kim explained. "Therefore, we proposed an amendment to advance the support period, aiming to provide benefits to more birthing families as soon as possible."

Comprehensive Support for New Families

Ulju County's new initiative complements Ulsan Metropolitan City's existing postpartum care support program, which has been in effect since 2023. Ulsan City currently provides a universal payment of ₩500,000 per newborn to all birthing families, irrespective of their income level. With Ulju County's additional ₩500,000, residents will receive a combined ₩1 million, significantly easing the financial strain associated with postpartum recovery and newborn care.

The move underscores a growing trend among local governments in South Korea to implement more aggressive and direct financial incentives to combat the nation's alarmingly low birth rates. These initiatives often include a mix of cash payments, childcare subsidies, and expanded access to services like postpartum care.

The final approval of the amendment is expected on June 27 during the 239th regular session's second plenary meeting. Following this, it will undergo review by the Ulju County Ordinance and Rule Deliberation Committee before its official promulgation, likely in early July. This accelerated timeline is a clear indication of the urgency with which Ulju County is addressing the demographic challenges it faces, hoping to create a more supportive environment for new parents and encourage larger families.