South Korea’s government has announced a childbirth welcome support fund of up to 20 million Korean won beginning July 1, 2027, prompting immediate criticism from parents and pregnant women. Unveiled on August 28 at the Youth Budget Unboxing 2027 event chaired by President Lee Jae Myung, the policy consolidates the first-meeting voucher, parental allowance and child allowance into payments made over 12 months after birth. The fund provides 10 million won for a first child, 12 million won for a second and 15 million won for a third or subsequent child, with residents of regional priority areas receiving an additional 5 million won. The package also includes a child basic allowance of up to 600,000 won a month for children aged 0–1 and a 1 million won marriage support fund for couples marrying next year. Parents have objected to the July 2027 eligibility date, saying it disadvantages babies born earlier in the year, while capital-region residents have criticized the focus on population-decline and other regional areas. Some also warn that increased cash payments could raise prices at postpartum care centers and for childcare services and products unless broader changes, including more flexible pediatric appointments and parental leave without stigma, are made.