Kim In-ho, Chair of Seoul Metropolitan Council, Thanks Oh for Quick Decision on Free Meals in Kindergartens 추진

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, expressed his welcome for Mayor Oh Se-hoon's announcement of the plan for free meals in kindergartens.

On the 4th, Chairman Kim stated in a press release, "I did not expect a prompt response to the proposal for free kindergarten meals made during the 300th opening address," and added, "I hope that this significant achievement of free kindergarten meals will serve as a stepping stone for closer cooperation between the executive branch and the council to produce meaningful outcomes during the COVID-19 crisis."

Chairman Kim continued, "Mayor Oh's decision is a very important stepping stone for Seoul to achieve stronger educational welfare," and added, "At a time when Seoul recorded the worst birth rate in history last year, I expect that Seoul's effort to alleviate the childcare burden on families through free kindergarten meals and to expand solidarity will become a major turning point in public awareness."

He also pledged cooperation to eliminate discrimination between kindergartens and daycare centers. Chairman Kim said, "We will continue to closely examine the field to ensure seamless welfare in early childhood education," and added, "To prevent children in daycare centers from being unfairly disadvantaged due to free kindergarten meals, the government and local governments must work together to find complementary measures."

Earlier that morning, Mayor Oh announced the plan to fully implement free kindergarten meals at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office. He stated that, in consultation with the council, a research project would be conducted to accurately calculate meal unit costs and assess the financial burden of support, aiming to implement free kindergarten meals as soon as possible. He also urged the government to prepare comprehensive measures for meals and snacks for young children to avoid equity issues with daycare center children.

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