Candidate Donggeun Kim Pledges Completion of Gosan Idol Care Cluster... Launching Korea’s First Public Childcare Model

Donggeun Kim, Uijeongbu Mayoral Candidate
"Care, Education, and Play in One Place"
Pledges to Complete the Gosan Idol Care Cluster
Establishing an Integrated Childcare System
Combining Seven Functions Including National and Public Daycare Centers and Childcare Centers

Donggeun Kim, the People Power Party candidate for Mayor of Uijeongbu, has announced his pledge to complete the Gosan Idol Care Cluster as a core policy to address the era of declining birth rates and to make Uijeongbu the best city for raising children.

This pledge is based on the nation's first public-led integrated childcare model, which candidate Donggeun Kim successfully attracted in collaboration with LH during his tenure. He envisions transforming Uijeongbu into a top-tier childcare city in Korea.

While Uijeongbu has been growing as a leading residential city in the northern metropolitan area, the increasing number of dual-income families has led to persistent concerns about gaps in childcare services. In particular, with the rapid rise in the proportion of children in newly developed areas such as Minrak and Gosan, the need to expand integrated childcare infrastructure in the region has become more pressing.

In fact, children account for 21.9% of the population in Gosan-dong, meaning that one out of every five residents is a child. Additionally, with more than 4,000 new households scheduled to move in, especially around the Public Legal Complex Housing District, the demand for childcare services is expected to increase even further.

During his tenure, candidate Donggeun Kim successfully led the effort to attract the Idol Care Cluster project and also hosted policy workshops with residents and experts to discuss the operational direction and functions of the facilities.

The 'Gosan Idol Care Cluster' will be built with one basement level and two above-ground floors, and will serve as an integrated facility that brings together functions such as childcare, education, play, and parental support in one space. The main facilities will include: a national and public daycare center, a community childcare center, an indoor playground, a children's library, a toy library, a parent rest area (cafe), and a rooftop garden. In total, seven functions will be combined to establish a one-stop childcare system.

Candidate Donggeun Kim explained that in designing the 'Gosan Idol Care Cluster', the focus went beyond simply constructing facilities, aiming instead to build an integrated childcare model where the functions of care, education, play, and parental support are organically connected.

In particular, the key is to cover all age groups from infants to elementary school students and to organically link the functions of each facility, thereby shifting from the existing 'individual and dispersed care' to an 'integrated and connected care system'.

Once the 'Gosan Idol Care Cluster' is completed, various positive outcomes are expected, such as addressing childcare gaps for dual-income families, reducing the burden and time parents spend traveling, strengthening customized childcare services for children, fostering a child-rearing-friendly environment in the region, and enhancing Uijeongbu’s residential competitiveness.

Candidate Donggeun Kim stated, "We can no longer leave the challenge of raising children solely to individuals and families," and emphasized, "The Gosan Idol Care Cluster will be Korea’s first public childcare model where the city collectively takes responsibility for childcare."

He added, "We will reduce the inconvenience of parents having to travel throughout the city to find childcare, and create an environment where care, education, and play are provided together in one place. We will complete Uijeongbu as a city where parents can raise their children with peace of mind."