Gwacheon City Recognized as 'Best City for Raising Children'...Ranks First Nationally in Child Development Environment Assessment

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yu Je-sung] Gwacheon City has once again proven itself to be a 'best city for raising children' by being selected first nationwide in the child development environment assessment.

According to analysis results from the 'Republic of Korea Child Development Environment Index' announced last month by Green Umbrella, a specialized child welfare organization, Gwacheon City ranked first nationwide with a total score of 91.34 points across four areas: health, education, welfare, and community. This shows a significant gap compared to the second-place local government (88.01 points).

The 'Republic of Korea Child Development Environment Index' is the first indicator to comprehensively diagnose the child development environment of all 229 cities, counties, and districts nationwide from the private sector, making its significance considerable.

The city established a dedicated child welfare department last year through organizational restructuring and is expanding customized support for children and childcare families. It is providing support for stable housing through newlywed couple jeonse loan interest support and supplying 'Gwacheon-style housing,' and is also implementing a multi-child household childcare voucher support project.

Additionally, the city is providing additional municipal budget support to child facilities such as daycare centers, community childcare centers, and local child centers to create safer and higher-quality childcare environments. The city is also continuously expanding various programs and child-friendly policies to ensure children's right to play and participation.

The city obtained UNICEF 'Child-Friendly City' certification in 2024 and is currently operating 36 key promotion projects. In particular, in the second half of this year, the opening of a specialized child protection agency for child abuse prevention and protection of victims is also anticipated, and more professional and systematic child protection systems are expected to be established.

An Mi-young, Director of the Child Welfare Department, stated, "This first-place selection nationwide is the result of consistent efforts to create a city where both children and parents are happy," and added, "Going forward, we will strengthen child-friendly policies and childcare support so that children can grow up healthy and safe."