Full Breakdown
Jeju Island Introduces Grandparent Childcare Stipend
3/11/2026, 2:48:08 PM
New Initiative to Support Grandparents
Starting in March 2025, Jeju Island will implement a monthly stipend program for grandparents who provide childcare for their grandchildren. This initiative follows the successful launch of a similar program in Seoul in 2023, which has garnered strong public approval. Under the new policy, grandparents caring for one child under the age of two will receive 300,000 won (approximately $204), while those caring for two children will be eligible for 450,000 won. Families can apply for this aid if both parents are employed or if there is a caregiving gap due to single parenthood or other circumstances, provided their household income does not exceed 150% of the median income.
Background and Context
The grandparent childcare stipend is part of a broader trend in South Korea to address the country's declining birth rate and changing family dynamics. The program was first introduced in Gwangju in 2011 and has since been adopted by various regions, including Gyeonggi Province and South Gyeongsang Province. In Seoul, a survey indicated that 99.2% of participating grandparents were satisfied with the program, highlighting its positive reception among families.
Key Figures and Groups
Ma Chae-sook, the head of Seoul's Women and Family Affairs Office, emphasized the dual benefits of the program: easing financial burdens for families and promoting children's healthy development through family care. The program reflects a significant shift in childcare practices in South Korea, where rising living costs and increasing numbers of dual-income households have made grandparents a vital source of support.
Criticism and Opposition
Despite the program's popularity, some parents expressed concerns regarding the reliability of professional childcare services. A survey indicated that 48% of parents did not fully trust childcare workers, while 46.4% cited a lack of emergency childcare options. This reliance on grandparents underscores the challenges families face in securing adequate childcare.
Official Statements and Responses
Officials have noted that the grandparent childcare stipend is part of a comprehensive childcare support strategy initiated by Seoul's mayor, Oh Se-hoon. This strategy also includes parental leave payments and emergency childcare services. Ma Chae-sook stated, “Beyond easing financial burdens, the grandchild care allowance is also helping children’s healthy development and growth by providing emotional stability through family care.”
What's Next
As Jeju Island prepares to launch this program, the Seoul government is also considering expanding its existing initiative by raising the income eligibility threshold and broadening the age range of eligible children. This reflects ongoing efforts to adapt childcare policies to better support families in a rapidly changing demographic landscape.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I want to give my parents money for taking care of my children, but I’m glad the city is supporting them on my behalf,” — Parent surnamed Jeong
- “Beyond easing financial burdens, the grandchild care allowance is also helping children’s healthy development and growth by providing emotional stability through family care.” — Ma Chae-sook, Head of Seoul’s Women and Family Affairs Office
This new initiative in Jeju Island represents a significant step in addressing the childcare needs of families while recognizing the essential role grandparents play in child-rearing in contemporary South Korea.
