청 "Additional 10-15 Days Extension of Family Care Leave Approved as Emergency Childcare Measure"

President Moon Jae-in Presides Over Cabinet Meeting... Deliberation and Resolution on Establishing Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Creating Health-Focused Vice Minister Position in Ministry of Health and Welfare

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House announced on the 8th that at the Cabinet meeting presided over by President Moon Jae-in, it resolved the 'Partial Amendment and Promulgation of the Act on Gender Equality in Employment and Work-Family Balance Support,' which extends family care leave up to a maximum of 10 days (up to 15 days for single parents).

Im Se-eun, Deputy Spokesperson of the Blue House, said in a written briefing on the same day, "President Moon Jae-in presided over the 45th Cabinet meeting held via video conference from 9 a.m. at the Blue House Yeomin 1 Building and the Seoul and Sejong Government Complex Cabinet meeting rooms."

According to the Blue House, the Cabinet meeting deliberated and resolved legal promulgation bills such as the 'Partial Amendment and Promulgation of the Act on Gender Equality in Employment and Work-Family Balance Support,' legislative bills such as the 'Partial Amendment of the Employment Insurance Act,' presidential decree drafts such as the 'Partial Amendment of the Organization of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Its Affiliated Agencies,' and general agenda items such as the '2020 Public Stockpiling Implementation Plan (draft) and the 2021 Government-Managed Grain Supply and Demand Plan (draft).'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

First, the partial amendment and promulgation of the Act on Gender Equality in Employment and Work-Family Balance Support includes provisions to extend family care leave by an additional maximum of 10 days per year (up to 15 days for single parents) when a serious-level crisis alert is issued due to the spread of infectious diseases, requiring measures for family care.

Deputy Spokesperson Im said, "As a measure to address the care gap caused by the spread of COVID-19, on August 26, President Moon Jae-in instructed to prepare emergency care measures due to growing parental concerns about child care in the second semester. The Minister of Employment and Labor will promptly proceed with related procedures to announce the extension of family care leave."

The partial amendment bills to the Employment Insurance Act and the Act on the Collection of Insurance Premiums for Employment Insurance and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance expand the scope of employment insurance coverage to include special-type workers recently exposed to unemployment risks due to the spread of COVID-19.

Deputy Spokesperson Im expressed expectations, saying, "As a stepping stone for implementing nationwide employment insurance, this bill will provide a foundation for the livelihood stability and early reemployment of special-type workers, thereby fulfilling the function of the social safety net."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, Deputy Spokesperson Im explained, "The multiple vice-minister system dedicated to the health sector in the Ministry of Health and Welfare will wisely resolve health and medical issues through enhanced expertise in the health and medical field and smooth communication with the public and the medical community," adding, "It will also play a leading role in 'mental health defense' and other areas, strengthened by the dedicated mental health policy organization."

With the expansion of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, its staff will increase from 907 to 1,476. Deputy Spokesperson Im said, "It has gained status and authority befitting a central administrative agency," and added, "It is expected that unwavering quarantine measures and strengthened health and medical policies will be implemented in organic coordination with the newly reorganized Ministry of Health and Welfare."

The 2020 Public Stockpiling Implementation Plan and the 2021 Government-Managed Grain Supply and Demand Plan were promoted according to Articles 3 and 5 of the Grain Management Act. The government decided to purchase 350,000 tons of rice, 60,000 tons of soybeans, and 3,000 tons of wheat as public stockpiles during this year's harvest season.

Meanwhile, President Moon urged the strengthening of infectious disease response capabilities centered on the upgraded Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency at the Cabinet meeting on the same day.

Deputy Spokesperson Im stated, "(President Moon) instructed to focus on advancing our health and medical system starting with the establishment of a dedicated vice minister for the health sector, actively communicating with the medical community and the public, and doing his best to prepare reasonable solutions to protect the lives and health of the people, including expanding public healthcare, resolving regional medical disparities, and addressing issues raised by the medical community."

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