No South Korean region meets recommended support levels for foster children

South Korea had 9,344 children living with foster families at the end of last year, after leaving their birth families because of issues such as a parent’s death, illness or abuse.

As of September, none of the country’s 17 provincial and metropolitan governments met all the national government’s recommended support levels for these children.

For children aged three and older, the recommended monthly allowance is at least 560,000 won, but the regional average was about 430,000 won.

Support for university costs also varied: the recommended amount is at least 5 million won, but only Ulsan met that level, while three regions provided no payment.

Some regions also provided no temporary foster-care payments or money for children’s supplies.

The differences arise because local governments pay for these supports entirely from their own budgets, and national recommendations are not binding.

A lawmaker has urged the national government to check how closely regions follow the recommendations and find practical ways to reduce the gaps.