Jongno-gu Promotes Child Support Project to Overcome COVID-19

Providing electronic gift certificates (Care Points) worth 400,000 KRW per child in need... Usable like cash within the region, valid until the end of 2020

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) is implementing the "Temporary Support Project for Childcare" until December this year, providing electronic gift certificates (care points) to households raising children in the area who are experiencing economic difficulties, to alleviate their financial burden and promote the revitalization of the local economy.

This project responds to the increased costs of purchasing quarantine and hygiene supplies due to the spread of COVID-19 and the occurrence of emergency childcare situations. The number of recipients is approximately 4,800, based on the number of children receiving child allowances as of March 2020.

The eligible recipients are children under the age of 7 as of March 2020 (born between April 2013 and March 2020) who receive child allowances, or children born in March 2020 who applied for child allowances within 60 days after birth and started receiving the allowance from March.

Each eligible child will receive electronic gift certificates (care points) worth 400,000 KRW, valid until the end of 2020. The care points will be provided by the card company to one of the child's guardian’s cards, either the I Happy Card or the National Happiness Card. If the guardian does not have a card, a gift card will be issued and sent by registered mail.

The usage method allows spending like cash within the local area by applying restrictions on business types. However, usage is restricted at large supermarkets, department stores, online shopping malls, and large electronics retailers.

In addition, to mark Family Month in May, Jongno-gu has additionally implemented the "D.I.Y. Home Playground Support Project with Parents" following the initiative launched in March, to support children who have to spend more time at home due to COVID-19.

The home playground support project is part of emotional and behavioral service support measures for low-income children who must stay at home due to delayed elementary school openings and the closure of child and care facilities.

The district collaborated with local small business owners such as small workshops in Insadong and cooking classes in Ihwa-dong to produce toy sets, which were directly delivered to 177 Dream Start children from April 29 to May 4, adding meaningful support.

SGI Seoul Guarantee Insurance (CEO Kim Sang-taek), which donated funds for the home playground project, is the largest guarantee institution in Korea, established in 1998 through the merger of Daehan Guarantee Insurance and Korea Guarantee Insurance. Since 2012, it has continuously shared and supported local residents in need every year.

Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “As a child-friendly city, Jongno-gu will continue to steadily promote the Dream Start project to support the healthy growth and development of vulnerable children and implement solid policies in preparation for the spread of COVID-19.”

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