"Improvement of Inter-Ministerial Protection System for Unregistered Birth Children"... First Meeting of the Task Force

The intergovernmental task force aimed at improving policies to protect unregistered children at birth held its first meeting and shared the progress of a comprehensive survey. They also discussed preparations for the recently passed 'Birth Notification System' (Amendment to the Act on the Registration of Family Relations) and measures to support unmarried mothers.

On the afternoon of the 5th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the 'Task Force for Improving the Protection System for Unregistered Children at Birth' and held its first meeting at Seoul Square in Jung-gu, Seoul. The task force is led by Lee Ki-il, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and is composed of related ministries and experts from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, and the National Police Agency.

Lee Gi-il, the 1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, is presiding over the first meeting of the 'Task Force for Improving the Protection System for Unregistered Children' held on the 5th at Seoul Square in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Ministry of Health and Welfare]

At the first meeting, key tasks and implementation plans by each ministry for improving the protection system for unregistered children at birth were discussed. First, regarding the 'Improvement Plan for the Protection System for Unregistered Children at Birth,' under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, they discussed methods for identifying and investigating unregistered children at birth, preparation plans to ensure the smooth implementation of the recently passed Birth Notification System, and the concurrent introduction of the 'Protected Birth System.' They also shared the current status of the ongoing comprehensive survey of children with temporary newborn numbers and exchanged opinions on inter-ministerial cooperation for a swift and thorough investigation.

Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that to identify unregistered children at birth beyond those covered in the current comprehensive survey, a reporting period for unregistered children at birth will be operated until October. They will also establish dedicated task forces (TF) in all cities, counties, and districts nationwide to coordinate administrative, legal aid, and welfare services.

As a fundamental measure to prevent the occurrence of unregistered children at birth, the task force also focused on strengthening support measures for unmarried mothers. The core is to establish an early detection and support system for pregnant women in crisis and to enhance support throughout the entire process of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Furthermore, efforts will be made to improve social awareness of unmarried mothers so that they do not give up raising their children and can raise them within their families.

Vice Minister Lee Ki-il stated, "We are doing our utmost to confirm the whereabouts and safety of children with temporary newborn numbers, and we will continue inter-ministerial responses to discover other unreported children at birth. We will make every effort to ensure that the Birth Notification System for medical institutions, which has passed the National Assembly, is implemented smoothly one year from now, and we will fully support the National Assembly discussions so that the Protected Birth System can be introduced alongside the Birth Notification System for medical institutions."

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