○ Monthly childcare support of KRW 100,000 provided to undocumented foreign children attending daycare centers
○ A “birth–childcare–education” life-cycle model introduced to guarantee children’s human and fundamental rights

Starting in the new year, Gyeonggi Province will be the first in the nation to implement a Childcare Support Program for Undocumented Foreign Children.

Undocumented foreign children refer to children residing in Korea without legal residency status. While Korean children currently receive monthly childcare subsidies ranging from KRW 280,000 to 540,000, and registered foreign children receive KRW 150,000 per month, undocumented foreign children have received no childcare support to date.

In accordance with the Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on the Identification and Support of Undocumented Children Born in Gyeonggi Province, enacted last year, the province planned and developed this childcare support program to address blind spots in childcare and welfare services.

Eligible beneficiaries are undocumented foreign children enrolled in daycare centers within the province. Each child will receive a monthly childcare subsidy of KRW 100,000. To prevent misuse and enhance transparency in budget execution, the subsidy will not be paid in cash to guardians but will instead be provided directly to daycare centers.

After comprehensively considering regional population composition and administrative conditions, the province selected Hwaseong, Anseong, and Icheon as pilot project areas for implementation in 2026. Following system stabilization, the province plans to gradually expand participation to additional cities and counties.

Kim Seong-hwan, Head of the Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration Society Support Division, stated, “This program is significant as it represents the first step toward guaranteeing rights and providing financial support to undocumented foreign children who have long been neglected and marginalized. We will continue to present an integrated rights-guarantee model covering the entire child life cycle—from birth and childcare to education and settlement in the local community.”

Gyeonggi Province also plans to implement the Gyeonggi Province Public Verification System for Undocumented Foreign Children Born in Korea, which will issue verification certificates enabling undocumented foreign children born in Korea and residing in the province to access public services and connect with support programs provided by private organizations.