Busan’s Gangseo-gu Enhances Childcare Safety, Environmental Initiatives, and Youth Employment Support
Gangseo-gu, Busan, is implementing comprehensive support measures focused on strengthening childcare safety nets, promoting carbon neutrality, and improving youth employment capabilities. These lifestyle-oriented policies aim to enhance residents’ quality of life across welfare, environmental sustainability, and youth development.
Enhanced Safety for Daycare Centers Through Group Insurance
Gangseo-gu is fully supporting the subscription to group insurance through the Safety Mutual Aid Association for all 114 daycare centers within the district. This benefits approximately 4,050 children and 1,269 childcare staff. The insurance covers 15 potential incidents, including safety accidents involving infants and young children, and damage to facilities or property during childcare activities. Coverage includes up to 600 million won per person and 3 billion won per accident, encompassing fire compensation and sudden death syndrome coverage. A key addition is the inclusion of coverage for criminal defense costs for childcare staff, aiming to alleviate legal and psychological burdens.
Unlike individual subscription methods, Gangseo-gu is directly signing a group contract, reducing costs and administrative complexities. Gangseo-gu Mayor Kim Hyeong-chan stated, “This support for group insurance subscription is a responsible decision by Gangseo-gu to create a childcare environment where parents can leave their children with greater peace of mind.”
Promoting Environmental Responsibility with Food Waste Reduction
In the environmental sector, Gangseo-gu is launching the ‘2026 Household Food Waste Small Reduction Device Support Project.’ The initiative aims to reduce household food waste by supporting 50% of the purchase cost of small reduction devices, up to a maximum of 400,000 won, for 100 households in the first round. Eligibility is limited to residents of Gangseo-gu as of the announcement date, and devices must have a processing capacity of 1 to 5 kg/day with quality certification. The district plans to assess the project’s effectiveness through usage surveys and ongoing monitoring.
Strengthening Youth Employment Capabilities with Test Fee Support
Gangseo-gu is also bolstering employment support for young people aged 19 to 39 who are unemployed or not currently self-employed. The district will provide support of up to 100,000 won per person per year for qualification test fees. Eligible tests include language proficiency, national technical/professional qualifications, and Korean history proficiency exams administered after January 1, 2026. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an online portal.
Mayor Kim Hyeong-chan emphasized, “We will continue to pursue youth support policies that have a high impact so that young people can develop their abilities and enter society stably.”