[Changes in the Second Half] Introduction of Short-term Childcare Leave and Paid Leave for Spousal Miscarriage

A new "short-term parental leave" system will be introduced, allowing parents to take time off for urgent childcare needs. Employees will be able to use parental leave even before the birth of a child if their spouse is at risk of miscarriage or premature birth. In case of a miscarriage, the first three days will be paid leave. The "Geunyang Dream" (Just Give) project, which provides food and other basic necessities to those facing livelihood crises, will be expanded to 300 locations nationwide. Free sanitary pad dispensers will be installed in public facilities within 12 designated pilot areas.

On June 30, the government announced the publication of a policy guidebook titled "Changes Starting from the Second Half of 2026." The guidebook summarizes major policies in the fields of education, childcare, family, health, welfare, and employment, grouping them largely into two categories.

Health · Welfare · Employment

◆ Introduction of Short-Term Parental Leave (effective August): Short-term parental leave will be introduced to allow flexible leave in situations such as children's school vacations, illness, or temporary closures of schools or daycare centers. Employees with children under the age of 8 will be able to apply for leave once per year, either for one week or two weeks at a time. The amount of leave pay will be calculated based on the existing parental leave benefit system.

◆ Expanded Leave and Time Off for Spouses (effective September): New miscarriage/stillbirth leave for spouses will be introduced, allowing up to five days off, with the first three days being paid. In addition, male employees will be able to take parental leave at any time before the birth of their child if their pregnant spouse is at risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

◆ Extension of Infertility Treatment Leave Pay Support Period (effective November): To promote infertility treatment leave among workers, the period of wage support for employees of priority support companies will be extended from the first two days to the first four days. The maximum support amount will also increase from 168,420 won to 336,840 won.

◆ Registration of Disability Due to Pancreatic Insulin Secretion Dysfunction (effective July): To address welfare gaps for patients with significant daily life restrictions, such as those with type 1 diabetes or other pancreatic endocrine disorders, a new "pancreatic disability" category will be established. Patients who have received multiple daily insulin injections or used an insulin pump for more than six months and meet specific diagnostic criteria will be eligible for registration. They will receive customized welfare services, including support for activities of daily living and various tax benefits.

◆ Strengthened Protection for Unpaid Workers at Bankrupt Workplaces (effective August): The scope of wage guarantee payments will be expanded to enhance income security for workers who are unable to receive wages due to company bankruptcy or closure. The coverage of unpaid wages, wage payments during business suspension, and maternity leave pay provided by the government on behalf of the employer will be extended from the last three months to the last six months.

◆ Expansion of the Geunyang Dream Project to 229 Cities, Counties, and Districts and 300 Locations Nationwide (scheduled for September): The "Geunyang Dream" project, which immediately provides basic food and daily necessities worth about 20,000 won per person to those facing livelihood crises, will be implemented nationwide. The infrastructure will expand from the current 158 cities, counties, and districts (280 locations) to 229 cities, counties, and districts (300 locations). Emergency counseling and welfare resource linkage services will also be provided.

◆ Payment of Work Sharing Support Subsidies for Spousal Paternity Leave (in effect since July): To promote employment stability among priority support companies and encourage male participation in childcare, employers who grant 20 consecutive days of paternity leave and provide monetary compensation for work sharing to colleagues will be eligible for subsidies. Companies with fewer than 30 employees can receive up to 600,000 won, and those with 30 or more employees can receive up to 400,000 won.

◆ Expansion and Standardization of Employment Retention Subsidies (in effect since May): "Nationwide employment downturn" has been added as a reason for expanded support, which previously only applied to certain industries or regions in crisis. In addition, the types and requirements for paid and unpaid employment retention measures during business suspension or leave have been unified, making workforce management more convenient for companies.

◆ Introduction of Weekend Training Allowances for Employed Workers (in effect since July): Employers of priority support companies who have Korean or foreign employees participate in employer-led vocational training programs held on weekends (at least four hours per day) will be eligible for subsidies. Employers can receive up to 50,000 won per day per person (up to 75,000 won per day for youth) to encourage training participation among small and medium-sized enterprise workers.

◆ Support for HPV Vaccination of 12-Year-Old Boys (in effect since May): The national HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination program, previously limited to female adolescents and women from low-income families, has been expanded to include 12-year-old boys (born in 2014). Eligible individuals can receive two free doses (six months apart, HPV quadrivalent) at contracted medical institutions and public health centers nationwide.

◆ Operation of Pediatric Nighttime and Holiday Clinics in Underserved Areas (in effect since April): Nighttime and holiday clinics are now operating in 13 local governments considered pediatric medical underserved areas, such as Taebaek, Sokcho, and Yeongwol in Gangwon Province, where Dalbit Children's Hospitals are not available. Even after regular outpatient hours on weekday evenings (6 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and weekends/holidays, children with mild illnesses can safely receive care at designated nearby institutions.

Education · Childcare · Family

◆ Removal of Income Criteria for Advance Child Support Payments (effective October): To create a stable child-rearing environment for single-parent families, the income eligibility requirement (previously 150% or less of the median income) for advance child support payments will be completely abolished. If the caregiving parent does not receive child support from the non-custodial parent, advance child support of 200,000 won per minor child per month will be provided up to age 18, regardless of household income, closing policy gaps.

◆ Expansion of Interest Exemption Eligibility for Post-Employment Repayment Student Loans (effective July): To alleviate the burden of student loan repayment for those starting their careers, the exemption will be expanded to all students who qualify for the sixth or lower tier of common student aid, and for students at regional universities, up to the eighth tier. The interest exemption period will also be significantly extended, covering from the time of the loan until the start of mandatory repayment (regardless of graduation date). (※ Fact check: For regional university students up to the eighth tier, this will take effect on November 20, as specified in the guidebook.)

◆ Nationwide Expansion of Family Care and Isolated Youth Support (effective September): With the enforcement of the Crisis Children and Youth Act that supports young family caregivers and isolated youth, the "Youth Future Center," which was previously operated as a pilot program, will expand to 17 locations nationwide (one in each metropolitan city and province). Vulnerable youth will receive customized case management based on scientific measures, self-care grants (2 million won, one-time per year) for young family caregivers with household incomes below 100% of the median, and a step-by-step social reintegration program through a one-stop service.

◆ Pilot Project for Public Sanitary Pad Support (effective July): To enhance women's health rights and implement practical welfare, free sanitary pad dispensers will be installed at all times in public facilities in 12 pilot local governments (basic-level autonomous districts). Any woman who needs sanitary pads, regardless of income, can receive them for free at designated facilities such as community centers and public libraries, expanding beyond the previous focus on low-income female adolescents.

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