Yoo Eun-hye: "No Interruption in Care Under Any Circumstances... Expansion of Family Care Leave Planned" (Comprehensive)

Despite Raising Social Distancing to Level 3
Emergency Care Operated at Kindergartens and Elementary Schools

14th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting Held
"We Will Ease the Burden of Care at Home"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye is conducting the 14th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting via video conference at the Government Sejong Complex. (Provided by the Ministry of Education)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Children participating in emergency care at daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools will be able to receive school meals, and the kindergarten home study period will be extended from 30 days to 60 days. The government also plans to promptly push for the passage of a bill to extend the family care leave period.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Education held the 14th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting jointly with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at the Government Complex Sejong to discuss the "Childcare Support Measures in Response to the Spread of COVID-19."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye, who presided over the meeting, said, "We will supplement the shortcomings of existing systems to reduce the burden of care at home."

First, elementary schools will operate care services from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., considering demand and circumstances. School meals will continue to be provided for students participating in care, and to reduce density, students will be distributed in groups of about 10 per classroom.

Kindergartens will expand the on-site experiential learning period, which counts as school days, from 30 days to 60 days annually. Daycare centers will also provide emergency care, and youth after-school academies, Dahamkke Care Centers, and community child centers will offer care for more than 8 hours a day. For households with income below 150% of the median income, 50 to 90% of the childcare service fees will be supported until the end of the year.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo emphasized, "Care provided by institutions such as daycare centers, schools, and community care facilities will continue without interruption under any circumstances."

Even if social distancing is raised to level 3 and all elementary schools switch entirely to remote classes, the government will operate emergency care at elementary schools and provide after-school programs during existing care hours at kindergartens. Daycare centers will provide care without special activities, outdoor activities, group events, or education, and community care institutions will continue to operate care even if the level is raised to 3.

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