임신 중인 미혼·한부모에 3개월간 23만원씩 예비 양육수당 준다

Starting from next year, pregnant unmarried women and single-parent households will receive a provisional childcare allowance of 23 million won per month for three months. The income threshold for the welfare subsidy for single-parent households has been expanded to households with an annual income of 66% or less, up from the previous 65%.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that the annual budget plan, which includes this provision, passed the National Assembly meeting. The annual budget for next year is 2.119 trillion won, an increase of 5.5% compared to this year's budget of 2.087 trillion won. Pregnant unmarried women and single-parent women will be able to receive a provisional childcare allowance of 23 million won per month for three months starting next year.

In response to the call for stronger support for unmarried mothers and single fathers last year, the childcare allowance has been revised to reflect this need. The welfare benefits for single-parent families will be expanded to households with an annual income of 66% or less. However, the amount received will decrease slightly, with households earning up to 65% of the median income receiving 23 million won per month, while those earning up to 66% will receive 12 million won per month.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family explained that the target group will be expanded, but the amount will be reduced step by step. Currently, households earning up to 65% of the median income receive 23 million won per month, while those earning up to 66% receive 12 million won. Starting from the middle of next year's second half, a marriage support allowance will be provided to couples who have recently gotten married.

Unlike the existing marriage tax deduction, which only benefits households with income, the marriage support allowance provides cash assistance to all couples regardless of income. Couples who get married after January 1st of next year will be eligible, with each partner receiving 50 million won, totaling 100 million won for the couple.

The budget for this allowance is estimated at 166.3 billion won. From next year until the end of 2026, married couples who have applied for marriage will continue to receive the traditional marriage tax deduction. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family also plans to increase investments in crisis intervention for juvenile delinquents, recovery and self-reliance programs, and the protection, rehabilitation, and independence of at-risk youth.

This includes expanding recovery facilities from 18 to 20, at a cost of 560 million won. The recent government announcement on combating illegal sex trafficking sites and the introduction and operation of an AI-based deep analysis system for illegal sites, costing 1 billion won, also influenced the composition of the budget. The government also allocated 1.5 billion won to analyze the causes and circumstances of recent incidents of female-on-male violence, reflecting the current trend of such violence.

However, the budget for women's safety and rights and youth policy was reduced by 4.1% and 2.4% respectively for next year. In response to this, Kim Gwonyeong, a policy planning official at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said that the government adjusted the burden on local budgets by increasing the local share of the existing 70% of the national budget, aiming for a 50% increase.

Although the share of government spending in these sectors has decreased, the actual services are expected to remain the same or even increase.