"I Understood the Reason for Korea's Low Birthrate" NYT Reporter Experiences Postpartum Care Center in Gangnam

"Beginner mothers in Seoul take a three-week rest and get ample sleep at Joriwon (postpartum care centers)." Loretta Charlton, editor of the New York Times (NYT) Seoul bureau, shared a popular firsthand account after personally experiencing a luxury postpartum care center in Gangnam, Seoul. She stated, "Korea's Joriwon services are world-class, but they also help explain the world's lowest birth rates."

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Charlton recently detailed the services of the Joriwon where she gave birth and stayed. Fresh meals are provided three times a day, along with facial and full-body massages, and classes on newborn care. Since nurses are on duty 24 hours a day, mothers can hand over their newborns to nurses after midnight feedings and sleep alone in their rooms. She evaluated, "Sleep is one of the greatest luxuries mothers can enjoy at Joriwon."

Additionally, Charlton noted that the presence of nutritionists, pediatricians, lactation experts, and Pilates instructors enhanced the quality of care and attracted mothers' interest. According to her, demand for postpartum care centers is so high that it is difficult to secure a spot unless a reservation is made as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. She said, "Competition is fierce to the point that people apply for reservations as soon as two lines appear on the pregnancy test."

She also explained, "One of the attractions of Joriwon is spending time with other beginner mothers who have babies of the same age." A pregnant woman expecting to give birth in March told the NYT, "People try to make good friends at Joriwon, and these friendships last throughout the child's life," adding, "They hope their child will associate with people from the same social class."

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Postpartum care centers also reflect inequality in Korean society. The cost of admission varies from several million won to tens of millions of won depending on the duration. The service Charlton used reportedly cost 8 million won for two weeks, excluding fees for facial and full-body massages. Health insurance does not cover these costs, and government subsidies are only partially available.

Charlton pointed out, "Of course, Joriwon costs a lot of money, but this is only a tiny fraction of the overall cost of raising a child in Korea," adding, "This helps explain Korea's birth rate." A Korean woman told the NYT, "No matter how excellent the Joriwon is, it lasts only two weeks, and life afterward is another story, which is why people hesitate to have children."

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