Seoul Expands 'Birth Celebration Items' from 51 to 86 Types ... Advance Application Available

Support of newborn essentials worth 100,000 KRW including thermometers and nasal aspirators
Available from 50 days before birth this year... Linked application with online birth registration also possible

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has made it more convenient and expanded the options for applying for the 'Birth Celebration Goods' worth 100,000 won, which supports families who have given birth to a child, this year.

Marking the third year of the Birth Celebration Goods support project, Seoul has increased the available childcare products from 51 to 86 types, and expanded the application period from after birth to 50 days before the expected birth date so that childcare products can be used immediately after birth, the city announced on the 31st.

The Seoul Birth Celebration Goods support project began in July 2018 as a policy realized from an idea proposed by citizens at the 2017 'Together Seoul Policy Expo.' It celebrates children becoming Seoul citizens and helps reduce the childcare cost burden on parents. So far, about 86,000 families have received support.

Eligibility to apply requires the applicant to be a guardian residing in the same household as the child, who is registered and actually living in a Seoul district, and applications can be made from 50 days before the expected birth date up to three months after the birth date.

Applications can be made by visiting the local community service center as before, or by checking the Birth Celebration Goods support section in the 'Happy Birth One-Stop Service' when registering the birth online. If applying before the child is born, the mother must visit the community service center in person with a pregnancy confirmation certificate or a standard maternal and child health handbook.

Afterward, by entering the authentication code on the Birth Celebration Goods support project website 'iSeoulu (http://www.iseoulu.co.kr),' 100,000 points are granted, and applicants can select the necessary items and have them delivered to their desired location.

The Birth Celebration Goods consist of 86 essential childcare items from newborns to their first birthday, including non-contact baby thermometers?which have become difficult to obtain recently due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?nursing cushions, baby carriers, and baby food utensil sets.

Kim Bok-jae, Seoul’s Family Officer, said, "Reflecting citizens’ opinions, we diversified childcare products so that families can choose the items they want, and allowed applications for products before birth so that childcare items can be used immediately after birth. We will continue to strive to implement effective policies to make Seoul a happy city for having and raising children."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.