South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Police Agency have completed the 2025 comprehensive safety survey for three-year-old children raised at home. This initiative, part of the e-Child Happiness Support Project, aims to ensure the safety and well-being of children not enrolled in public childcare or kindergarten. The survey utilizes social security big data to identify potentially at-risk children and connects families to necessary welfare services. The program is designed to prevent child abuse by proactively monitoring and supporting vulnerable households.
A total of 15,961 children born in 2021 and cared for at home were included in the survey. Local government officials conducted home visits over three months to verify each child’s location and safety. Of these, 2,808 children were linked to welfare services such as livelihood benefits, Dream Start integrated support, and medical or private sector assistance. Case examples include support for families with developmental disabilities, health concerns, and those from single-parent or multicultural backgrounds.
The survey is conducted annually in the fourth quarter, targeting children who have not entered public childcare systems. In 2025, 99.99% of surveyed children were confirmed safe, with only two cases requiring police investigation due to difficulty in locating the children; both were subsequently found safe. The next comprehensive survey will target children born in 2022 and is scheduled for October 2024. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Police Agency, and local governments plan to continue these efforts to close gaps in child protection.
Frequently asked questions include: What is the e-Child Happiness Support Project? It is a government initiative that uses big data to identify and support children at risk, providing welfare services and preventing abuse. How are families supported? Depending on individual needs, families receive assistance such as developmental rehabilitation, financial aid, and educational resources. What happens if a child cannot be located? Police investigations are initiated to ensure the child’s safety, as demonstrated in the two cases resolved during this survey.
The 2025 safety survey for three-year-olds in home care reflects South Korea’s commitment to child welfare and proactive abuse prevention. The use of big data and direct home visits ensures comprehensive coverage and early intervention for at-risk families. The successful confirmation of safety for all children and the linkage of over 2,800 families to welfare services indicate effective policy implementation. Ongoing annual surveys and collaboration between health, police, and local agencies will be crucial for sustaining and enhancing child protection measures.