This article, published in the "Foreign Legislation" series by the National Diet Library, explains South Korea's Childcare Support Law partial amendment aimed at improving the management system for home-visit childcare support services. Authored by Natsuto Fujiwara, it analyzes the legal amendment published on April 22, 2025.
Background and Social Issues of Legal Amendment
South Korea has been implementing home-visit childcare support services as public services since 2012, but increasing usage households annually have caused long waiting periods, creating continued reliance on private services. In 2024, approximately 29,000 childcare supporters provided services to approximately 118,000 households through 231 designated institutions, but no public management was conducted for private operators or childcare helpers, with continued occurrence of child abuse cases becoming social problems.
Creation of National Qualification "Child Care Specialist"
A new national qualification "Child Care Specialist" was created to replace conventional childcare supporters. The Minister of Gender Equality and Family can designate specialized institutions for qualification management operations, enabling widespread private sector qualification utilization beyond just designated institutions. However, Child Care Specialist is a name monopoly qualification, and childcare helpers without qualifications can still provide services through registration institutions mentioned below.
Introduction of Registration System for Private Operators
A registration system was introduced for private operators outside designated institutions that were previously not subject to public management. Registration institutions are required to meet personnel and facility standards and apply for registration with local governments having jurisdiction over their location, requiring damage compensation liability insurance subscription and standard labor contract creation.
Strengthened Management System for Childcare Helpers
Disqualification reasons including mentally ill persons and those within 10 years of completing sentences for sex crimes are stipulated for both Child Care Specialists and childcare helpers, with criminal record inquiries to investigative agencies becoming possible for both. This significantly strengthens child safety assurance systems.
Mandatory Information Provision and Survey Implementation
Local governments are obligated to provide users with information about registration institutions similar to designated institutions, including service content, facility and personnel status, and past cancellation history. The Minister of Gender Equality and Family is required to conduct surveys every three years covering both designated and registration institutions and publish results.
The article demonstrates this as comprehensive legal amendment strengthening child protection through improved quality and safety management of private services in South Korea's childcare support policy.