Traditional Korean Medicine Infertility Support Applications Now Possible Near Husband's Workplace

Relaxed Penalty Point Rules for Reapplying for Long-Term Lease Housing
Seoul Implements Regulatory Reforms No. 148 to 150

Regulations will be improved so that infertile couples in Seoul can apply for support for traditional Korean medicine treatment not only at locations near the wife's registered address or workplace, but also at those near the husband's registered address or workplace.

On September 23, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the implementation of three new regulatory reforms: ▲expanding application locations for traditional Korean medicine infertility treatment support for infertile couples, ▲relaxing the penalty point rules for reapplying for long-term lease housing, and ▲introducing electronic reporting for minor business plan changes for city buses.

First, Regulatory Reform No. 148 expands the application channels for infertile couples hoping for natural conception to receive support for traditional Korean medicine treatment expenses. Previously, applications could only be made at public health centers located at the wife's registered address or workplace. Going forward, applications will also be accepted at public health centers near the husband's registered address or workplace.

With more options for application, waiting and travel times are expected to decrease, as well as the burden of transportation costs and taking leave from work. Regulatory Reform No. 148 is scheduled to take effect in October this year.

Regulatory Reform No. 149 eliminates the penalty point rule for citizens residing in long-term lease housing who reapply due to changes in household size. In cases of marriage, childbirth, caregiving, or death resulting in a change in household members, no penalty points will be applied even if reapplying for a different housing size.

Until now, it was practically difficult to move to a larger unit after marriage or childbirth due to the penalty point rule, even when an additional room was needed. Now, residents can relocate as needed without worrying about penalty points. However, if a household decreases in size but wishes to move to a larger unit, penalty points may still be applied as before. Regulatory Reform No. 149 is scheduled to take effect in the first half of next year.

Regulatory Reform No. 150 allows city bus companies to file electronic reports for minor business plan changes without having to visit city hall in person. Previously, even minor adjustments such as increasing bus frequency during rush hour or changing routes due to construction required bus companies to visit city hall with documents. Moving forward, these changes can be reported electronically through the "Document24" system.

The city expects that bus companies, city bus associations, and Tmoney will be able to use the time previously spent on repeated visits for on-site operations and service improvements. Document distribution histories will also be managed electronically, enhancing both security and transparency. Regulatory Reform No. 150 is scheduled to take effect in November this year.

Lee Changhyun, Director of Regulatory Innovation Planning at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "Deregulation in Seoul is not about lowering standards, but about eliminating unnecessary procedures that inconvenience citizens. With these measures, we aim to make Seoul a city where citizens can apply more quickly and conveniently, and businesses can operate more simply and efficiently-a Seoul that is easy to apply to and convenient to use."

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