"Drop Off Your Child Within 15 Minutes" Jung Wonoh Pledges to Add 200 Care Facilities

24-Hour Seamless Childcare Support System
Expansion of Alleyway-Style Mini Care Centers and Care Clubs
Emergency Childcare Support Within 30 Minutes for Nighttime, Weekends, and Hospital Escorts

Jeong Wono, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, announced on the 14th that he plans to ease the burden of childcare by expanding 200 elementary after-school care centers within a 15-minute distance from home.

Jeong Wono, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, is entering the National Assembly press room on the 13th to announce his campaign promises. On the same day, candidate Jeong proposed a policy to reduce property taxes for single-homeowners with no income. May 13, 2026 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Jeong stated, "We will establish a 24-hour, uninterrupted childcare support system to reduce the burden on dual-income parents and create a Seoul where children can be safely cared for anytime, anywhere," as he released these campaign promises.

Jeong also pledged to expand "alley-type mini care centers" in densely populated small neighborhoods and to increase the number of "Care Clubs" for upper-grade elementary students, which combine care, learning, and experience functions. Additional measures include: expanding kids cafes; converting closed or suspended private daycare centers into elementary care facilities; providing lunch at care facilities during school holidays; offering real-time information on available care facilities; and supporting safe commute notifications and wearable-based location tracking for children.

To reduce waiting times and the cost burden for public childcare services, one additional public childcare service agency will be designated in each district of Seoul. In particular, 4,000 more nationally certified childcare workers will be secured to significantly shorten wait times.

The burden arising from childcare will also be eased. The city plans to simplify support systems by age group and relax income requirements so that more families can access these services. The eligibility for Seoul’s private childcare and grandchild care voucher support will be expanded as well. The current program, which primarily targets two-year-olds, will be gradually extended to cover up to third grade in elementary school, and income requirements will also be gradually eased.

A "gap care" system will be established to respond to emergency situations. In the event of unexpected childcare gaps—such as at night, on weekends or holidays, or when accompanying children to the hospital—a system will be set up to connect families with care personnel within 30 minutes. The "Our Child Safe Escort Center" model, currently operated in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, will be expanded to all 25 districts, establishing care centers equipped with dedicated staff and vehicles for situations when children become sick before their working parents return home. The dedicated staff will safely care for children from hospital transport until the guardian arrives.

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