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Seoul city to give expectant mothers 35 and up 500,000 won in medical support

Published: 15 Apr. 2026, 18:49 Updated: 16 Apr. 2026, 15:07

A man and an expecting mother are seen in a photo taken at an event to celebrate day for pregnant in October 2025. [NEWS1]

All pregnant women aged 35 and older in Seoul will receive financial support of up to 500,000 won ($340) for outpatient consultation and medical examination fees this year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday.

The capital was the nation’s first municipality to introduce such a policy for expecting mothers 35 or older in July 2024.

As the city expanded the pool of financial resources, eligibility likewise broadened, Seoul announced.

Women aged 35 and older accounted for 44.31 percent of all expecting mothers in the city in 2024.

Compared to younger women, older expectant mothers often face higher medical costs. They may require fertility treatments, such as ovulation induction, artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, as well as additional ultrasound tests and amniocentesis.

To ease the financial burden, the city launched the program to help older women cover the costs for outpatient care and test fees incurred from the moment pregnancy is confirmed to delivery. The support amount is capped at 500,000 won.

The subsidy covers costs ranging from outpatient consultation fees and examination fees to injection fees and treatments. However, hospitalization stays, pharmacy medications and costs incurred from document issuance are excluded. Same-day treatments for miscarriages also qualify for support if pregnancy was confirmed in advance.

The program is only available to women who will be 35 or older in the year they are due to give birth.

A poster for Seoul city's support program offering 500,000 won ($340) to pregnant women aged 35 or older [JOONGANG ILBO]

The city has secured a budget of 14.3 billion won for this year's program, nearly double last year’s 7.52 billion won allocation.

“The budget is enough to support 28,600 people, ensuring that all eligible pregnant women living in Seoul at the time of application can receive assistance,” a Seoul city official said.

Eligible women residing in Seoul can apply for the subsidies up to six months after they have given birth on the city-run child care information portal.

Required documents include a pregnancy confirmation certificate, medical receipts and a detailed description of each treatment. Funds are disbursed following confirmation of eligibility and review.

Those who have difficulty applying online may visit their local public health center.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government also plans to conduct surveys of beneficiaries to assess how satisfied they were with the support they received.

“Extending financial support to pregnant women aged 35 or older is a practical measure to ease the financial burden associated with pregnancy and childbirth for older expectant mothers,” said Cho Young-chang, head of the city's health bureau.

“The city will continue expanding policies aimed at protecting the health of mothers and fetuses while also rolling out measures to alleviate the pressures of pregnancy in an effort to boost the birthrate.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY MOON HEE-CHUL [[email protected]]