New law targeting delinquent parents comes into force

A new law targeting delinquent parents took effect Tuesday, as the government pledged to pursue child support evaders directly on behalf of those affected. The new law marks a significant shift in the government’s approach to a long-standing social issue. By stepping in to provide immediate financial support, the state aims to shield vulnerable children from the economic fallout of parental neglect. The measure not only strengthens the safety net for single-parent families, but also grants the Child Support Agency expanded authority to pursue delinquent parents — signaling a more assertive stance on enforcement and accountability. Under the revised Act on Enforcing and Supporting Child Support Payment, the state-run Child Support Agency will provide 200,000 won ($150) each month per child to parents who have not received legally mandated support from former partners, and will later seek to recover the overdue payments from the delinquent parent. Legal guardians of minor children become eligible for state support if they have gone without child support payments for three months or moWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times