South Chungcheong Province to Provide Budget Support for Fathers' Parental Leave

'Ordinance on Promoting Parental Leave for Men' Passes Committee Review
Toward Gender Equality and a Family-Friendly Social Environment

The South Chungcheong Provincial Council has taken steps to encourage male workers to take parental leave and to establish systems for gender equality and a family-friendly social environment.

On September 3, during the first session of the Health, Welfare, and Environment Committee at the 361st temporary meeting, the council announced that it had approved, as originally proposed, the "Ordinance on Supporting the Promotion of Parental Leave for Men in South Chungcheong Province," sponsored by Assemblyman Ji Minkyu (Asan District 6, Independent).

The ordinance includes the following key provisions: ▲ Establishment and implementation of support plans by the governor ▲ Awareness improvement through counseling, education, and publicity ▲ Surveys and research on the current situation ▲ Establishment of grounds for providing incentives for parental leave ▲ Regulations on restrictions, suspension, and recovery of payments ▲ Building cooperative systems with cities, counties, and companies.

In particular, the ordinance allows for incentives to be provided, within budget limits, to male workers registered as residents in the province or to companies that encourage parental leave, thereby increasing practical motivation for participation. The criteria and procedures for payment will be determined by the governor.

Previously, amendments to the "Three Laws on Childcare Support," which passed the National Assembly last year and have been in effect since February, extended the maximum parental leave period to 18 months. If both spouses take at least three months of leave, each is guaranteed up to 18 months. As a result, increased participation of men in parental leave is anticipated.

Assemblyman Ji stated, "Childcare is not solely the responsibility of women but a right and duty for the entire family," adding, "I hope this becomes an opportunity for male workers to confidently choose parental leave and for our society to move toward a family-friendly environment where work and family life can be balanced."

This ordinance bill is scheduled for final deliberation at the plenary session on September 17.

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