South Korean Ministry of Gender Equality & Family in-home childcare service: hourly base 12,790 KRW, 4-tier subsidy up to 250% Korean median. Copay from 1,918 KRW/hr (Ga tier)
| Tier | Korean median | 4-person monthly | Copay (hourly) | Subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type Ga | ≤ 75% | ≤ ~4.87M KRW | 1,918 KRW (15%) | 85% |
| Type Na | 75–120% | ≤ ~7.79M KRW | 5,116 KRW (40%) | 60% |
| Type Da | 120–150% | ≤ ~9.74M KRW | 8,953 KRW (70%) | 30% |
| Type Ra | 150–250% | ≤ ~16.23M KRW | 10,871 KRW (85%) | 15% |
| No subsidy | > 250% | Over | 12,790 KRW (100%) | None |
| Type | Eligibility | Hourly rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time-based Basic | Korean child ≤ 12 | 12,790 KRW | Daily care only — no housework |
| Time-based Comprehensive | Korean child ≤ 12 | 16,630 KRW | Child-focused housework included |
| Infant Full-Day | Infant 3–36 months | Monthly flat | Up to 200 hrs/mo, mainly Ga/Na tiers |
| Sick / Infectious Child | Korean child with legal infection | 12,790 KRW + 50% extra subsidy | Additional government support |
| Target households | Dual-earner, single-parent, disabled-parent, multi-child, multicultural, parental-leave Korean households |
| Income | ≤ 250% of Korean median income (2026 expanded threshold) |
| Child age | ≤ 12 (Infant Full-Day: 3–36 months) |
| Residency | Korean-resident child |
| Priority | Single-parent, basic-livelihood, near-poor, disabled-parent, multi-child, multicultural, severely-disabled child |
| Night surcharge subsidy | Korean government now matches subsidies on the 10-pm-onward 50% surcharge too (Ga tier: 85% of the surcharge covered) |
| Income bar relaxed | Threshold raised from Korean median 200% to 250% — far more households qualify |
| Multi-child boost | 10% extra copay discount for 3rd+ child (≤ 12) |
| Disabled child | Severely disabled Korean children qualify at Ga-tier copay uniformly |
| Teen single-parents | Korean teen single-parents receive Ga-tier rate support |
| Korean Idolbom Service Portal | idolbom.go.kr |
| Korean Idolbom Call Center | 1577-2514 |
| Korean MOGEF Hotline | 1366 (also domestic-violence / single-person counseling) |
| Bokjiro Korean customer center | 1566-0133 |
Rates, subsidy shares, and night-surcharge rules change yearly — always verify at Korea's official portal.
This page summarises public information from South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality & Family, Idolbom Service Portal, and Bokjiro as of April 2026. Hourly rates, copay ratios, and income thresholds change each year. Individual subsidy tiers are decided by Korean community-center screenings. The calculator is reference-only with no legal effect — actual billing follows the Korean Idolbom Service portal and MOGEF notices. Always verify with Bokjiro or the Korean Idolbom hotline 1577-2514. Limited to residents of the Republic of Korea.
Korea's Idolbom (아이돌봄) Service is an in-home childcare program by the South Korean Ministry of Gender Equality & Family for Korean-resident households with childcare gaps — dual-earner, single-parent, disabled-parent, multi-child, multicultural, and parental-leave families. A trained Korean caregiver visits the home to care for children aged up to 12. In 2026, the hourly base rate is 12,790 KRW, and Korean households up to 250% of median income are split into four tiers: Ga (≤ 75%, copay 1,918 KRW/hr), Na (75–120%, 5,116), Da (120–150%, 8,953), and Ra (150–250%, 10,871). Service types include time-based Basic, time-based Comprehensive (with housework, 16,630 KRW/hr), Infant Full-Day (ages 3–36 months), and sick-child care. In 2026 the income threshold was raised from 200% to 250% of Korean median, and the 50% night surcharge after 10 pm now receives the same government-subsidy ratio. Apply via Bokjiro or a Korean community center first, then match a caregiver on Korea's Idolbom Portal (idolbom.go.kr).
Yes, if a childcare gap is recognized, but subsidies may not apply without priority reasons (single-parent, disabled-parent, multi-child). Expect to pay the full 12,790 KRW/hr in that case.
Yes — after daycare hours, for emergencies, or parental business trips. Infant Full-Day, however, requires no enrollment in a Korean daycare.
Yes. Households outside the subsidy tiers pay the full 12,790 KRW/hr. Priority in caregiver matching goes to subsidy-eligible Korean households, so book early.
From 10 pm and on Korean holidays the rate is +50% (19,185 KRW/hr). From 2026, the Korean government subsidy ratio applies to the surcharge too (Ga tier covers 85% of the surcharge).
Yes — 840 hours per Korean year for Time-based service (~70 hrs/month) for the base cap. Priority households receive more. Infant Full-Day allows up to 200 hours per month.
Yes. Request a change through the Korean Idolbom Portal. You state the reason; misconduct triggers immediate rematching.
South Korea's 2026 Idolbom Childcare Service, operated by the Korean Ministry of Gender Equality & Family, dispatches trained caregivers to Korean homes to care for children up to age 12 in dual-earner, single-parent, disabled-parent, multi-child, and multicultural households. The 2026 hourly base rate is 12,790 KRW (time-based Basic), and households up to 250% of Korean median income are divided into four subsidy tiers: Ga (≤ 75%, copay 1,918 KRW/hr, 85% subsidy), Na (75–120%, 5,116 KRW/hr, 60%), Da (120–150%, 8,953 KRW/hr, 30%), and Ra (150–250%, 10,871 KRW/hr, 15%). 2026 upgrades include the income threshold expanding from 200% to 250% Korean median, full subsidy coverage applied to the 50% night surcharge after 10 pm, a 10% extra copay discount for 3rd+ children, and Ga-tier treatment for severely disabled children and Korean teen single-parents. Service types also cover Comprehensive care with housework (16,630 KRW/hr), Infant Full-Day (ages 3–36 months, up to 200 hrs/month), and sick-child support. Apply through Korea's Bokjiro (bokjiro.go.kr) or a Korean community center for subsidy-tier determination, then match a caregiver at idolbom.go.kr. Hotlines: Korean Idolbom 1577-2514, MOGEF 1366, Bokjiro 1566-0133. Applies to residents of the Republic of Korea only.