Pregnancy/ childbirth support

• Free prenatal tests

  Public health centers offer the following tests: early confirmation of pregnancy, urine examination (diabetes,protein), and blood tests (hemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell, serologic test of syphilis, hepatitis, blood type)

  ※ Expectant mothers can receive testing by signing up at their local public health center. (Please note, tests offered may vary by center)

• Childbirth classes and education

  Classes on breastfeeding, exercises for pregnant women, childbirth preparation, baby massage and other topics are available.
  Some regions have institutions that lend out books, CDs, and videos related to pregnancy, prenatal education, and delivery.

  ※ Prenatal education programs are operated by the local government and thus may differ by region.

• Folic acid supplements

  For pregnant woman who are registered at a public health center, folic acid supplements are provided for the first 3 months of pregnancy.

• Iron supplements

  Iron supplements are provided to pregnant women 16 weeks or more into their pregnancy who are enrolled with the health centers.

Support is provided for up to 3 million won in medical expenses not covered by health insurance for women in a high-risk pregnancy who are diagnosed with premature labor, birth-related bleeding, severe toxemia, premature rupture of membranes, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, threatened abortio, hypamnios, oligoamnios, incompetent cervix, antepartum hemorrhage and admitted to a hospital.

• Eligible applicants

  A person whose family income is less than 180% the national median income who has been diagnosed with 11 major high-risk pregnancy complications (premature labor, birth-related bleeding, severe toxemia of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, threatened abortio, hypamnios, oligoamnios, incompetent cervix, antepartum hemorrhage) after 20 weeks of pregnancy and has received inpatient treatment

• Support details

  90% of the whole payment and uninsured payment borne by the admitted patient (within the limit of KRW 3 million) (except for higher ward fee and special meals)

• Application

  In-person application

  • Complete the request form for medical expenses support for pregnant women at high risk expenses provided at a public health center or an obstetrician’s office. Submit the form to the nearest public health center in the area of your residence.

• Required documents

  One written diagnosis paper (including disease name and disease code), one confirmation paper of hospitalization and discharge treatment, one medical expenses receipt, one detailed statement (separate submission for each hospitalization time), one resident registration paper, one copy of health insurance card, a bill of medical costs and a payment confirmation, one copy of deposit account passbook (in the name of applicant for support), etc.

This program, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, seeks to provide the eligible pregnant women and infants nutrition education and counseling, as well as supplementary food to reduce their risk of malnutrition and independently maintain a nutritious diet. and infants who are at risk of malnutrition, and enhance the ability of these at-risk groups to independently maintain good nutrition.

• Eligible applicants

  Infants (under 6 years old, under 72 months after birth), pregnant women, breastfeeding women

  • Criteria for residential districts: corresponding public health center that has the jurisdiction over participants’ place of residence
  • Income level: 80% or less of the minimum cost of living by household size
  • Malnutrition factors: anemia, low-weight, poor growth, or poor nutritional intake
  • ※ For couples of international marriage, at least one of them must have Korean nationality.

• Aid Information

  Provision of nutritional supplementary foods

  • Food such as rice, potatoes, eggs, carrots, milk, black beans, dried laver, seaweed, canned tuna fish, tangerines, etc. is provided free of charge based on the participant’s nutritional needs.
  • (However, for households earning higher than 65% of the median income, 10% of the supplementary food expenses must be paid by the participant.)

  Description: Nutrition Education and Counseling

  • Individual counseling, group education, home education, and online education are provided in conjunction with supplementary foods
  • Counseling/education is conducted at least once a month

• Application

  In-person application

  • Competent public health center (except for Ongjin-gun, Incheon and Ulleungdo Island, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

• Required documents

  • Documents showing the number of family members: Copy of Resident Registration and the Certificate of the Family Relations
  • Documents showing family income: Receipt of health insurance premium payment, health insurance card, document showing eligibility for basic living support or support for the quasi-poor (if applicable)
  • Documents showing pregnancy or childbirth: One or more of the following: maternity handbook, certificate of medical and prenatal consultation (before childbirth), or birth certificate (after childbirth)

Prenatal and childbirth translation and interpretation services can be requested by contacting the Danuri Helpline (☎1577-1366) or your local multi-cultural family support center or, public health center.

Applicants for the integrated processing (“Happy Childbirth”) of pregnancy and childbirth-related services may simultaneously use various childbirth support services, such as childrearing subsidies, childbirth benefits, reduction of public utility charges, etc.

• Processing agency

  Varies by type

• Application

  In-person application

  • Visit an administrative agency in the competent si, gu, eup or myeon

  Online applicationApply

  • GOV.KR (① Apply → ② Attach documents for submission → ③ Submit application → ④ Processing → ⑤ Confirmation of processing results)

• Documents to be submitted

  ID, family relation certificate (when filing a separate application after the birth of a child)

• Fee

  None

  ※ Fees may apply for submission of documents

• Processing period

  • Childrearing subsidy: A total of 30 days
  • Childbirth benefit: A total of 4 days
  • Support of childbirth expenses for disabled expectant mothers: Within 3 hours when submitted during office hours
  • Reduction of public utility charges (electric, city gas, district heating charges): Within 3 hours when submitted during office hours
  • Local government childbirth support services (childbirth support funds, etc.): Within 3 hours when submitted during office hours

• Inquiries

  Contact the competent receiving and processing agency (administrative agency in the competent si, gu, eup, or myeon)