Seoul to provide 1 mln-won postpartum subsidy for all mothers giving birth in city

SEOUL, The Seoul city government will provide a 1 million-won (US$753) postpartum care subsidy for all mothers who give birth in the capital this year, city officials said Tuesday. The subsidy program is part of the city's "birth encouragement" project aimed at fighting the country's low total fertility rate -- the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime -- which fell to a fresh low of 0.78 in 2022. Beginning this year, the city government has removed the minimum six-month residence requirement for the subsidy program, making all female residents giving birth eligible for the 1 million-won allowance, according to the city officials. The subsidy is provided per baby birth in the form of vouchers to help finance health management costs for mothers and babies, including postpartum medical and recovery care. Recipients of the city subsidy are required to register their babies' births in the city, and applications are available at the program's website (www.seoulmomcare.com) and in neighborho od community centers. Source: Yonhap News Agency