The current Act prescribes paternity leave and allows male workers to apply for childcare leave in order to guarantee the participation of male workers in childcare. However, the percentage of childcare leave taken by male workers is very low.
There is a growing emphasis on the importance of both parents being involved in childcare. International cases and numerous studies have found that promoting the use of childcare leave among male workers to encourage fathers’ participation in childcare helps to enhance birth rates. In this light, in order to resolve the issue of low birth rates, there is a need to create institutions and environments that promote the use of childcare leave by male workers by prescribing compulsory childcare leave of a certain duration for male workers, etc.
Accordingly, with respect to the income replacement ratio resulting from the period of childcare leave, the Amendment introduces compulsory childcare leave of not less than one month to be taken by male workers before the child concerned turns 3 years of age, thereby aiming to promote the use of childcare leave by male workers (Article 19, paragraph 6 newly inserted).

Introduce compulsory childcare leave of not less than one month to be taken by male workers before the child concerned turns 3 years of age (Article 19, paragraph 6 newly inserted).