Han Seong-sook, the Prime Minister of South Korea, visited a local child care center in the Mapo district of Seoul on July 22 to assess its operations.
After touring the counseling and program rooms, she held a meeting with the center's director and staff to discuss operational conditions and challenges they face.
"I empathize with the heavy hearts of parents who have no choice but to leave their children alone at night due to work or illness," Han said. "Our society must take responsibility to ensure that children are not neglected and are safely cared for."
She urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to consider expanding night care services to accommodate parents who cannot supervise their children at night due to work commitments.
Han also emphasized the need to create an environment where caregivers with affection and experience can continue to work effectively.
Additionally, she noted that since January, 343 local care facilities across the country have been providing extended care until 10 p.m. or midnight to address gaps in night care. She encouraged parents in urgent need of care to check for nearby centers and apply through the designated hotline or the Child Rights Protection Agency's website.
"Starting this summer, a new service will be launched nationwide to support elementary school students during their vacation periods, particularly in local child care centers near schools, to ensure their meals and care needs are met," Han said. She called for proactive promotion of these policies to ensure that the public is well-informed and that children's meals and safety are thoroughly supported.
This visit was organized amid growing concerns about care gaps as the summer vacation approaches, allowing for an assessment of the care environment at local child care centers and gathering feedback from on-site staff.
After touring the counseling and program rooms, she held a meeting with the center's director and staff to discuss operational conditions and challenges they face.
"I empathize with the heavy hearts of parents who have no choice but to leave their children alone at night due to work or illness," Han said. "Our society must take responsibility to ensure that children are not neglected and are safely cared for."
She urged the Ministry of Health and Welfare to consider expanding night care services to accommodate parents who cannot supervise their children at night due to work commitments.
Han also emphasized the need to create an environment where caregivers with affection and experience can continue to work effectively.
Additionally, she noted that since January, 343 local care facilities across the country have been providing extended care until 10 p.m. or midnight to address gaps in night care. She encouraged parents in urgent need of care to check for nearby centers and apply through the designated hotline or the Child Rights Protection Agency's website.
"Starting this summer, a new service will be launched nationwide to support elementary school students during their vacation periods, particularly in local child care centers near schools, to ensure their meals and care needs are met," Han said. She called for proactive promotion of these policies to ensure that the public is well-informed and that children's meals and safety are thoroughly supported.
This visit was organized amid growing concerns about care gaps as the summer vacation approaches, allowing for an assessment of the care environment at local child care centers and gathering feedback from on-site staff.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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