Paju City of Gyeonggi Province - Providing happiness to parents and children through burdenless childcare that includes foreign workers!

Paju City, an integrated urban and rural municipality located in northwestern Gyeonggi Province, is larger than Seoul in terms of land area....

Paju City, an integrated urban and rural municipality located in northwestern Gyeonggi Province, is larger than Seoul in terms of land area.

It lies adjacent North Korea and is known as the “unification gateway” for the two Koreas as it is home to Panmunjeom, the Imjingak National Tourist Area, the Gyeongui Line, and National Road No. 1.

Other tourist destinations include Dora Observatory, Lotte Premium Outlet, Paju Premium Outlet, Odusan Unification Observatory, Ubi Park, Gyeonggi Future Education Campus, Paju Book City, Heyri Art Village, and Provence Village, so it is possible to enjoy history, culture, and shopping all in one location.

Overcoming its previous reputation as a front-line area, Paju has been transformed into a city of industry as a large number of LG affiliates are now situated here. At the same time, the city’s image has become more positive through the development of Unjeong New Town that connects with Ilsan New Town.

Paju City, which is expected to become a new metropolis in northern Gyeonggi Province, has announced new initiatives for 2022.

The contents of this announcement affirm that the city will expand support for the revitalization of the sluggish economy, which has stagnated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while also strengthening policies for youths. These endeavors include small business support projects as well as new projects for youths, farmers, and children.

ⓒGyeonggi Province

1.  Strengthening youth employment and housing support

Paju City is striving to nurture talented individuals through ‘Company-tailored Youth Job Education and Training,’ and is ardently encouraging employment through ‘Support for the Full-time Employment of Innovative Youth Companies’ and ‘Internship Support to Foster Innovative Youth Activities.’ In addition, the city is reducing the housing burden by implementing the ‘Youth Housing Support Project’ and supporting low-income working youths through the ‘Youth Tomorrow Savings Account.’

ⓒGyeonggi Province

2.  Creating an environment to revitalize the local economy

Paju City is continuing its global marketing support through 'Small Business Support Policy Business Expansion' and 7 industrial complex projects including the Unjeong Techno Valley.

The expanded operation of the ‘Agricultural Machinery Rental Office’ alleviates many farmer concerns, and the agricultural machine delivery service was also expanded to help farmers. In addition, the city is supporting the operation of the ‘Agricultural Product Safety Analysis Room’ and ‘Barn Roof Irrigation Facilities.’

To overcome current economic difficulties, Paju City is working to improve the on/offline environments of traditional markets. Of particular note, delivery support through ‘Naver Traditional Market Grocery Shopping’ and shopping carts for offline users will be introduced on a trial basis at Munsan Market.

ⓒGyeonggi Province

3. Expanded welfare to ease low birth rate and childcare burdens

In addition to the existing congratulatory birth payment, a 'first meeting pass' will be issued. In addition, KRW 300,000 won per month will be disbursed as an infant allowance, and the current child allowance will be expanded to those under the age of 8.

Of particular note, childcare burdens borne by foreign workers will be reduced. Meanwhile, operating budgets that previously supported only integrated daycare centers dedicated to foreign worker childcare have been expanded to all daycare centers attended by foreign children, and subsidies will be paid according to the number of children, instead of by the monthly labor costs of teachers.

There are now approximately 2 million foreigners residing in Korea. Looking at the number of foreigners by region as provided by Statistics Korea, Gyeonggi Province is home to more foreign residents than any other local autonomy in Korea.