Jeong Inhwa, Gwangyang Mayor Candidate, Announces Pledges in Childbirth, Childcare, and Education Sectors

Pohang University of Science and Technology Branch Campus 'Gwangyang Pocheol Technical High School' Establishment 추진

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Jeong In-hwa, an independent preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangyang, announced on the 5th, Children's Day, pledges related to childbirth, childcare, and education, including attracting a branch campus of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH).

Candidate Jeong stated that as part of policies encouraging pregnancy and childbirth, he plans to attract a public postpartum care center to Gwangyang (or establish one independently at the city level) and establish a municipal women and children's hospital. He also pledged to provide 10 million KRW for the first child, 20 million KRW for the second child, and 30 million KRW from the third child onward upon childbirth.

Regarding childcare support policies, Candidate Jeong promised ▲strengthening childcare teachers' caregiving capabilities ▲installing yellow zones for children's safe boarding and alighting (in apartments and residential areas) ▲developing cultural and artistic programs for infants and toddlers (fun + emotional development + creativity) ▲expanding welfare allowances for childcare teachers ▲reinforcing staff at special daycare centers (for children with disabilities) ▲supporting improvements to indoor and outdoor environments of daycare centers and kindergartens ▲operating 24-hour temporary childcare centers ▲establishing a children's safety center.

In terms of education support, he pledged △providing four-year university scholarships to academically outstanding students ▲carrying out a project to create prestigious schools ▲promoting the establishment of Gwangyang Pohang Steel Technical High School (in consultation with POSCO) ▲strengthening administrative and financial support for the revival of Gwangyang Health University ▲attracting specialized branch campuses such as POSTECH or Suncheon National University (related to materials science, hydrogen and other energy fields, logistics, etc.).

Additionally, Candidate Jeong stated that to provide convenience for multi-child families, he would grant tax benefits (price reductions on housing purchases, national and local tax reductions) and support apartment room layout designs for multi-child families.

Candidate Jeong said, “The total fertility rate of Gwangyang City was 1.2 in 2020, which is higher than the national average (0.8 in 2021), but it is on a continuous decline, so extraordinary measures must be taken.” He added, “We plan to induce an increase in the birth rate through bold support for pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and education, and to lead the government's population policy.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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