The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will implement the "Child Support Advance Payment System" starting in July. This plan aims to provide 200,000 won monthly to children of single-parent families (with an income of 150% or less of the median) until they turn 18, when the single parent is unable to receive child support. This initiative seeks to address issues arising when one parent does not provide child support after a divorce. Although there are penalties for not complying with a court's child support order, such as disclosure of the name and travel restrictions, it is reported that 40% of single-parent families do not receive child support adequately.
◇If a 'bad parent' does not pay child support and goes missing… the government will pay 200,000 won instead
The Child Support Advance Payment System is a measure to relieve the burden on single-parent families struggling to raise children due to financial constraints. Raising a child requires expenses such as housing, education, food, clothing, and medical care. However, if a parent who promised to provide child support after a divorce hides assets and cuts off contact, the child’s livelihood becomes precarious. There are also limitations in child support lawsuits, which can take a long time.
With the implementation of the Child Support Advance Payment System, the process for single-parent families to receive child support will become simpler. The government will provide 200,000 won per month instead of child support, and will exercise the right to reimbursement against the non-paying parent. A Ministry of Gender Equality and Family official noted, "Until now, one had to go through litigation to receive overdue child support, but the advance payment system has the advantage of allowing for future child support without such procedures."
However, there are criticisms that the amount of 200,000 won is insufficient for raising a child. Courts estimate average monthly child support per child in divorce cases to be between 621,000 won and 2,883,000 won (based on 2021). This is calculated based on the couple's total monthly income and the child's age. For example, if a divorced couple earns a total of 4,500,000 won a month and has a child aged 0-2, the child support is set at 1,098,000 won. For children aged 15-18, the child support is calculated at 1,402,000 won.
An official from the Child Support Resolution Federation said, "It is common for raising a child to cost over 1 million won, including academy fees," and added, "Some parents work second jobs to cover child support costs."
◇In Germany and Sweden, the government pays more child support as children grow older
Germany and Sweden are also actively implementing the Child Support Advance Payment System. The amounts provided are generally higher than those in South Korea, and they increase as the child's age progresses.
In Germany, the government currently provides 230 euros (350,000 won) per month for children aged 0 to 5. For children aged 6 to 11, this increases to 301 euros (460,000 won), and for those aged 12 to 17, it is 395 euros (600,000 won). Payments to parents raising children aged 0 to 11 are made regardless of their income, and from age 12, child support payments are made in advance if financial need is demonstrated.
According to the National Assembly Research Service's report on 'Overseas Cases of Advance Child Support Programs' (2023), Sweden provides 1,673 krona (220,000 won) per month for children under 7. For children aged 7 to 14, the amount is 1,823 krona (240,000 won), and for those aged 15 to 17, it is 2,223 krona (290,000 won). If the child has not completed compulsory education, the advance child support period can be extended until they turn 20.
Experts advise that South Korea should reflect the reality of rising education costs after children enter school. Professor Seok Jae-eun of Hallym University’s Department of Social Welfare stated, "The advance payment system means that society guarantees a certain degree of parental responsibility for raising children," and added, "It is one option to adjust child support amounts according to age, as is done overseas, since the costs differ when children are young and when they grow older."