Gyeonggi Province Childcare Center Association: "2.7 Billion Won in Childcare Budget Excluded from Supplementary Budget Must Be Allocated"

The Gyeonggi Province Childcare Center Association held a rally in front of the Gyeonggi Province Government Building on the 6th, urging the allocation of 2.7 billion won in childcare-related budget that was not reflected in this year's second supplementary budget.

Approximately 2,000 childcare teachers attended the "Rally to Normalize Gyeonggi Province Childcare Budget and Immediately Allocate Supplementary Budget" held at around 10 a.m. on that day. The association plans to continue the rally for four days through the 8th.

The budget not reflected in the supplementary budget is 2.7 billion won related to four projects involving provincial funds, including childcare center operation support, infant standard childcare curriculum program support, and improvement of childcare teacher benefits. If additional budget is not secured, the province's support for these projects could be reduced from next month.

The association demanded immediate allocation of supplementary childcare budget, maintenance of existing childcare center operation support and childcare staff benefit improvements, and direct communication between the Gyeonggi Province Governor and childcare sites.

The Korean Education Stakeholders Coalition (S.P.E.A.K.) also participated in the rally, delivering statements of support and submitting a letter of protest to Gyeonggi Province urging a halt to childcare center subsidy cuts.

Moon Geum-mi, standing representative, said "Before telling people to have children, please protect the environment where children can be raised properly," adding "Childcare is not simply a cost, but an investment that protects our children's present and Korea's future."

The People Power Party also provided support.

Lee Su-jung, chairman of the Suwon Jung District branch, said "The elimination of childcare center budgets or postpartum care center budgets runs counter to low-birth-rate policies," adding "To overcome population decline, we must expand support for childbirth and childcare to give children confidence in their future."

The province stated in a written position that given difficult fiscal conditions, there are limitations to fully restoring all budgets that the previous administration failed to allocate.

It added that childcare center operation support and childcare teacher benefit improvement budgets would be depleted early, and explained that while maintaining meal support rates, it would adjust childcare center and childcare teacher support rates to continue assistance through year-end.