Childcare Time Specified in Civil Service Regulations, Police Officers Feeling Pressured

"Why Deny a Natural Right?"
Sympathetic Comments on Community Board
No Separate Disciplinary Action Even if Department Head Disapproves

[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Cho, Byungseon Gong] "Why are we not allowed to use childcare time? If they give us dirty looks and tell us not to use it, I really don't know how dual-income families are supposed to manage."

Recently, a post expressing such grievances was uploaded on an anonymous community board used by frontline police officers in the Gyeonggi region. The writer identified himself as belonging to a police station in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. That police station received the highest S grade in last year's 'Police Station Performance Evaluation.' The author wrote, "Our organization still has a long way to go to develop," and added, "I don't understand how they expect us to have children under these circumstances."

It has been revealed that some frontline police officers are experiencing difficulties using childcare time due to supervisors' disapproval. Childcare time refers to the time allowed for public officials with children under the age of five to use up to two hours per day within a 24-month period for childcare purposes. This is stipulated in the regulations related to national public officials' service and discipline. Approval is granted after comprehensively considering personnel management, public service provision, and the necessity of official duties. Police officers are also eligible to use childcare time. However, there are internal voices that the recognition of childcare time as a legitimate right has not yet taken root within the police force.

In fact, after the post was published, many comments expressing sympathy were posted. Voices such as "Only a very small number of police officers at that police station use childcare time," and "Childcare time is a rightful entitlement and should be used, so how can they impose such restrictions?" were heard. Some criticized the department heads who approve childcare time. They pointed out, "As times change, organizations should change accordingly, but there is a mentality of 'I couldn't do it, so you shouldn't either,' which prevents its use." According to the regulations related to national public officials' service and discipline, childcare time is guaranteed by department heads to be used within the scope that does not interfere with personnel management, handling of civil complaints, and official duties. The specific department of the police station involved in this case was not disclosed.

According to the police, even if the police station or department head refuses childcare time, there are no separate disciplinary actions that follow. Cases of refusing childcare time are rare to begin with, and it is not specified as a reason for disciplinary action. A National Police Agency official explained, "As stipulated in the regulations, childcare time is guaranteed within the scope that does not interfere with official duties," adding, "Rather than disciplinary action, it may be reflected in performance evaluations and result in disadvantages."

Internally, there is also a skeptical view that simply asserting rights can be problematic. When a team member uses childcare time, the resulting vacancy inevitably increases the workload for other team members. One police officer said, "Childcare time is definitely a right that should be used, but if there are 10 team members and four use it at the same time, it causes problems in team operations," adding, "We need to discuss and use it appropriately." Another officer said, "One person should refrain from using childcare time alone," and "Using it moderately is what will help the system develop into a better one."

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