Kim Ki-hyun Proposes Four Bills Supporting Infertility, High-Risk Pregnant Women, and Premature Infants

Expansion of Tax Deductions for Infertility Treatment and Premature Infant Medical Expenses
Infertility Treatment Leave Extended from 3 to 60 Days, Spouse Maternity Leave from 10 to 30 Days

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] The "Maternal and Paternal Protection Four Acts," which expand infertility treatment leave and increase tax credits for infertility procedure costs, high-risk pregnant women, and premature infants' medical expenses, have been proposed.

On the 8th, Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, announced that he had proposed amendments to the ▲Act on Gender Equality in Employment and Work-Family Balance Support ▲Employment Insurance Act ▲Labor Standards Act ▲Income Tax Act, focusing on these contents.

According to the amendments, the current infertility treatment leave, which is only 3 days per year, will be expanded to 60 days, and considering the nature of infertility treatments that are scheduled suddenly, the leave can be used in divided days.

Also, the current 10-day spouse paternity leave period will be expanded to 30 days and can be used in more than five divided times.

The leave claim period will also be significantly extended from the current 90 days (3 months) after childbirth to 270 days (9 months) to reflect the different situations of each family, and a 5-day spouse leave regulation will be newly established for spouse miscarriage and stillbirth.

The amendment to the Employment Insurance Act includes adding infertility treatment leave benefits and spouse miscarriage/stillbirth leave benefits to the support targets of employment insurance projects that provide maternity leave benefits, and also extends the payment period of maternity leave benefits.

The amendment to the Labor Standards Act codifies protection regulations for infertility treatment workers, such as reducing working hours and prohibiting night, holiday, and overtime work.

Additionally, the amendment to the Income Tax Act expands the current tax credit rate for infertility procedure costs from 20% to 30%, and establishes a 20% tax credit regulation to alleviate the medical expense burden for high-risk pregnant women, premature infants, and infants with congenital abnormalities.

Representative Kim said, "Although there have been various policy and legislative efforts recently to reduce the burden of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, the uniform application still places a heavy burden on mothers and fathers," adding, "through these Maternal and Paternal Protection Four Acts, I hope that a culture of mutual care and a work-family balance system will become widespread throughout our society.”

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