Local governments have recently been competitively rolling out childbirth promotion policies. One local government has reportedly raised its childbirth incentive by more than five times—where is it?

It is Taean County in South Chungcheong Province.

Starting next year, the incentive for the first child will increase from the current 500,000 won to 3 million won, and for the second child from 1 million won to 5 million won.

For the third child and beyond, the amount will rise from the existing 2 million won to 10 million won. The support funds will be paid in installments, with half of the amount to be provided in mobile Taean Love Gift Certificates.

The annual number of newborns in Taean County dropped by about 64%, from 355 in 2016 to 128 last year.

In response, the county has also decided to provide a family care allowance of 300,000 won per month per child if relatives care for toddlers aged 2 to 3 for 40 hours or more per month in households that meet certain requirements.