Assemblywoman Yang Hyang-ja: "Urgent Need to Establish Support Measures for the Independence of Protection-Ended Children"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Yang Hyang-ja, a member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Seo-gu Eul), raised her voice, emphasizing the urgent need for measures to help children aging out of care become independent and support their stable social life.

According to the "Status of Children Aging Out of Care by 17 Cities and Provinces" submitted to Assemblywoman Yang by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 7th, as of 2019 (2,587 children), the regions with the highest number of children aging out of care were Seoul (410) and Gyeonggi (405). Areas with more than 100 children included Jeonnam (226), Busan (213), Gyeongnam (193), Gyeongbuk (180), Gangwon (178), Jeonbuk (132), Incheon (116), Chungnam (115), and Chungbuk (101), in that order.

Children aging out of care refer to those who leave child protection facilities nationwide upon reaching the age of 18. Approximately 2,500 children fall under this category annually.

Children aging out of care, who must stand on their own after leaving orphanages, are placed in welfare blind spots.

Assemblywoman Yang stated, "Although about 2,500 children leave care facilities every year, the discharge age of 18 is too young, leaving neither sufficient time nor financial resources for independence. Even if they want to attend university, they often have to choose employment due to the burden of livelihood, and if that is not feasible, they suffer from severe financial hardship."

Looking at the university enrollment rate of children aging out of care over the past five years, the rate remained in the 30% range from 2015 (38.5%) but entered the 40% range for the first time in 2019 (43.6%).

As of 2019, except for Sejong (66.7%·2 children), the local governments where the university enrollment rate exceeded half were Gyeongnam (59.1%), Daejeon (56.5%), Daegu (56.2%), Gyeongbuk (53.3%), Gwangju (51.8%), and Jeonnam (50.4%), in that order.

Since 2019, the government has been easing the basic livelihood security standards so that children aging out of care can prepare for independence while receiving basic support such as livelihood, medical care, and housing.

Currently, children within three years of aging out receive a monthly independence allowance of 300,000 KRW, and this allowance is excluded from the income calculation for basic livelihood security, allowing them to receive both benefits simultaneously; however, this is grossly insufficient.

Assemblywoman Yang said, "In reality, children approaching aging out inevitably bear a heavy burden entering society," adding, "According to a media report, children in care in the Gwangju area experience both economic and mental burdens, such as 'fear of independence' (31.8%), 'economic burden' (26.1%), and 'lack of information on independence' (16.5%)."

She continued, "Although the period during which they can stay in facilities is partially extended when entering university, conditions are created where they must combine studies and part-time jobs to save money to become independent. On the other hand, children who do not have opportunities for university admission or training at educational institutions are more likely to fall into a vicious cycle of poverty due to difficulty finding relatively good jobs."

She also emphasized, "The 5 million KRW independence support fund provided by local governments and the monthly 300,000 KRW independence allowance from the government cannot help children aging out of care to enter society stably," stressing, "There are even tragic cases where they are left in welfare blind spots and ultimately give up on life."

She added, "As emotional support is as important as financial support, psychological stability for the children and comprehensive education and counseling for social adaptation need to be conducted simultaneously," and stated, "First, we will actively work to prepare legal and institutional improvement measures in the National Assembly and derive practical support plans through consultations among the party, government, and Blue House."

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