Changed Even the Minds of DINKs... Ourhome's "Childcare Companion Support Fund" Surpasses 100 Recipient Families

10 Million Won Provided Per Childbirth, with No Limit on Number of Births
Program Led by Executive Vice President Dongseon Kim Shows Results
Hanwha Implemented the Benefit Immediately After Acquisition in May Last Year

Ourhome's "Childcare Companion Support Fund," which provides 10 million won (after tax) per childbirth regardless of the number of times, has now been granted to 100 families, even changing the minds of so-called "DINK" (Dual Income, No Kids) employees.

On April 16, Ourhome announced that the number of families who have received the Childcare Companion Support Fund, introduced in May last year, has surpassed 100 this month. Among the 16 Hanwha Group affiliates currently operating the same system, Ourhome became the affiliate with the largest number of employees benefiting from the program, with 105 families. As of this month, Hanwha Group has provided the Childcare Companion Support Fund to a total of 354 families, including those scheduled to receive it.

This program was introduced under the leadership of Hanwha's Executive Vice President for Future Vision, Dongseon Kim. Initially, only some Hanwha Group affiliates—such as Hanwha Galleria and Hanwha Hotels & Resorts—implemented the program, but after confirming its positive effects, it was expanded to all affiliates in the Tech and Life sectors.

At Ourhome, the benefit was applied immediately after its integration into Hanwha Group in May last year. At the time, Executive Vice President Kim pledged the immediate introduction of the system, stating, "We want to share our philosophy of valuing the lives and families of our employees." Similarly, Gourmet Galleria (formerly Shinsegae Food's food service division), which joined Hanwha Group in December of the same year, also implemented the program promptly for the same reasons.

A representative from Ourhome stated, "For welfare programs with substantial cost burdens, it is common for full implementation to take time, but following Ourhome, Gourmet Galleria also made a bold decision. This became an important turning point that immediately dispelled various employee concerns about the merger and acquisition and strengthened trust in the company."

Nutritionist Yoonhee Park (far left in the back row), who gave birth to her youngest child late last year, purchased a camping caravan with childcare support funds and is enjoying family trips. Provided by Ourhome

Since the implementation of the program, there have been actual cases of childbirth. Nutritionist Yoonhee Park of Ourhome's group meal division recently gave birth to her third daughter, with a 13-year age gap between her first and youngest child. Park said, "I felt a heavy burden, but after seeing the company's commitment to supporting childcare, I decided to have another child."

Chef Jonghak Choi, the 100th employee to receive the Childcare Companion Support Fund, was previously part of a dual-income, no-kids couple, the so-called "DINK," but changed his mind last year and recently welcomed a daughter. Choi commented, "I never considered having a child due to practical concerns, but after the introduction of the Childcare Companion Support Fund and seeing colleagues around me start having children, I gained the courage to become a parent myself."

The family of chef Choi Jonghak, who received the 100th Childcare Companion Support Fund. Provided by Ourhome

Nearly half of the 105 Ourhome employees who received the Childcare Companion Support Fund had their second child or more. Ourhome analyzed that, at a time when the main reasons for hesitating to have children are high childcare and education expenses as well as income and job insecurity, the support fund has helped alleviate these burdens.

An Ourhome representative said, "The Childcare Companion Support Fund is not only helping employees achieve a work-life balance but is also having a significant impact on encouraging additional childbirths. We will continue to contribute to the development of our employees' families and society through a variety of support measures."

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