[iNews24 Reporter Jeong Jae-su] On May 5, Children's Day, Hanam mayoral candidate Kang Byung-deok unveiled childcare and education pledges aimed at transforming Hanam into a \"children's paradise.\"
Kang said, \"Hanam is home to many young couples, but childcare services and play infrastructure for children remain inadequate. Through concrete support covering childbirth, care and play, I will make Hanam the best city in South Korea for raising children.\"
Kang promised a significant increase in birth incentives to address the low birthrate. He plans to double the city's current childbirth incentive budget from about 1.5 billion KRW to 3 billion KRW (approximately $1.125 million to $2.25 million) to ease the early financial burden of parenting.
He also pledged to double funding for children's play facilities in apartment complexes and to install air domes over water parks in the Misa, Wirye and Gam-il districts so children can play regardless of weather or season.
To address the shortage of play spaces in the old downtown, he said the city will open a new splash pad and install air domes to mitigate noise and weather disruptions and provide more comfortable play areas.
He will also launch a nature-based education program called \"Forest School\" to support children's emotional development and boost creativity.
Kang plans to open Forest Schools in each area — the old downtown, Misa, Wirye and Gam-il — to expand nature education, ecological experiences and after-school programs. He said the city will increase the number of specialized preschool-forest managers from two to eight to deliver higher-quality educational services.
Kang added, \"This pledge focuses not only on funding but on creating environments that meet children's needs. I am determined to make Hanam a 'children's paradise' so that the city's children can grow up healthy and happy in Hanam.\"
