Public Officials Undergoing Infertility Treatment Can Take Up to 2 Additional Days Off

Strengthening Pregnancy and Childbirth Support Including Early Use of Maternity Leave in Case of Preterm Birth Risk

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Female public officials undergoing infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination will be granted up to 2 additional days of special leave.

On the 16th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Personnel Management announced the legislative notice of amendments to the "Local Public Officials Service Regulations" and the "National Public Officials Service Regulations" as part of strengthening pregnancy and childbirth support to overcome low birth rates.

First, female public officials receiving infertility treatment procedures can use 1 to 2 days of special leave before or after the procedure on their preferred days. This reflects the opinions of field public officials and experts such as the Korean Medical Association, who emphasized the need for time for preparation and smooth recovery.

Previously, for IVF involving egg retrieval, leave was allowed for one day each on the egg retrieval day and the infertility treatment procedure day, while artificial insemination leave was granted only on the procedure day. After the amendment, IVF will grant an additional two days of leave before and after egg retrieval and the procedure, and artificial insemination will allow an additional day of leave before and after the procedure.

In cases of risk of premature birth, up to 44 days of maternity leave can be freely used at any time during the pregnancy period. Going forward, in cases of premature birth risk, up to 44 days of paid maternity leave can be divided and used in advance during the treatment period to alleviate concerns women may face during pregnancy and childbirth.

The time during which female public officials who are pregnant or within one year after childbirth cannot be assigned overtime work will be expanded. Currently, night work is restricted from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day to protect pregnant women. However, with this amendment, night work will be restricted for a total of 11 hours from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next day.

To prepare for outbreaks of new infectious diseases such as COVID-19, the system for official leave for quarantine will also be expanded. Going forward, in the event of an outbreak of first-class legally designated infectious diseases such as COVID-19, legal grounds will be established to grant official leave for diagnostic tests or vaccinations without separate guidelines to enable rapid response by institutions and regions.

Vice Minister Ko Kyu-chang stated, “This amendment aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by public officials undergoing infertility treatments to have children and to establish safe working conditions against infectious diseases,” adding, “The government will continue efforts to support work-family balance as a model employer and to create a safe working environment.”

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