Giving Birth in Korea

1. Finding the right hospital

Some hospitals in Gwangju with English-speaking doctors:

Eden Hospital  에덴 병원 (www.edenhospital.co.kr)

• Address: 822-12, Du.am-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062-260-3000, 062-260-3182 (children)
• Operation hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am- 5:00 pm; Sunday: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm; Delivery and emergency examination: 24 hours daily
• Bus stop: Mudeung library (무등도서관), Gwangju hospital (광주 병원) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

Boram Hospital 보람 병원 (www.boram.org)

• Note: Ladies and men doctors are available. Doctors can speak English very well.
• Address: 840-2, Ilgok-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062-605-1500
• Operation hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am- 6:00 pm; Sunday and national holidays: 9:00 am – 01:00 pm; Delivery and emergency examination: 24 hours daily
• Bus stop: Ilgoksageori (일곡사거리) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

Green Women’s Hospital 그린산부인과 (http://www.greenhospital.pe.kr/)

• Address:  543-3 BangRim 1-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062) 650-7700
• Operation hours: Weekdays :  9 a.m. – 6 p.m; weekend : 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Lunch 12:30 p.m. – 1.30 p.m.)
• Bus stop: Bongseon Middle School Entrance (봉선중입구)  (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

Mizpia Hospital 미즈피아병원 (http://www.imizpia.co.kr/)

• Address: 1258-3 Chipyeong-dong , Seo-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062) 380-2000
• Operation Hours: Monday – Saturday = 9 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.; Sundays and public holidays = 9 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
• Bus stop: Sangmu District Entrance (상무지구입구) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)
• Subway: Sangmu Station (상무역) Exit 6

Moa Hospital 모아산부인과 (http://www.moalady.co.kr/home/home.htm)

• Address: 633-8 Baeukun-2-dong , Nam-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062) 670-7700
• E-mail: kimdaehwa@yahoo.co.kr
• Operating hours: Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m; Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. – 12 noon
• Bus stop: Namgwangju Nonghyeop branch (남광주농협)  (please check GJ bus website)

Mirae Children Hospital 미래아동병원 (http://miraehosp.co.kr/)

Nam-gu branch:

• Address: 1250-2 Juwol-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062) 600-2500
• Operating hours: Monday – Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday and public holidays: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Lunch break 12.30 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
• Bus stop:  Namgwangju Nonghyeop branch (남광주농협), Bongseon Middle School Entrance (봉선중입구) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

Buk-gu branch:

• Address: 752-1 Ochi-dong , Buk-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062) 250-2500
• operating hours: Monday – Saturday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday and public holidays :9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Lunch break 12.30 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
• Bus stop: Goryeo High School (고려고등학교) Buk district Police Station (북구경찰서)  Gwangju Gonggo (광주공고)  (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

I First Children Hospital 아이퍼스트아동병원 (http://www.ifirstch.com/)

• Address: 1241 Chipyeong-dong , Seo-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062) 414-1000
• Operating hours: Everyday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Bus stop: Sangmu Hospital (상무병원) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

For English speaking OB/GYN hospitals, please contact Medical Referral Service at 010-4769-8212 or 010-8750-8212.

Some of OB/GYN hospitals are offering Yoga and other classes as well. However, they are available only in Korean. Alternatively, you can contact http://birthinginkorea.com/ directly for your inquiry.

2. Financial Support for your Pregnancy and Childbirth

Korea government offers subsidy for your pregnancy. Your ob-gyn should inform you on how to apply for the subsidy. The subsidy can be retrieved by opening a bank account in Kookmin Bank called 고운맘카드 (gounmam-kadeu) which contains 300,000 won (by April 2011, it will be increased to 400,000 won).

To obtain the card, these are the requirements for foreigners:

• National Health Insurance (국민건강보험)
• Passport
• Alien Registration Card
• Statement from the hospital of your pregnancy
• Application Form

You are entitled from  40,000 won subsidy for one check-up session; for example if your check-up bill costs 50,000 won, you only have to pay 10,000 won as 40,000 won will be paid by the government. The government will also supported the financial for natural delivery, however you may have to pay on your own if you give birth through C-section surgery. If you give birth not in the hospital, you have to apply for delivery fee subsidy through the National Health Insurance.

For more information, please contact the National Health Insurance Corporation at 02-390-2000 (English Help Line) or  www.gounmom.co.kr (in Korean).

3. Reporting Childbirth

Childbirth between Korean male and foreign female:

In case of a birth in marital relations, the baby’s name entered in the father’s family register by the father or responsible person on birth reporting.

Childbirth between Korean female and foreign male:

In case of a birth in marital relations, the baby receives Korean nationality simultaneously with its birth.
The baby’s name is entered in the mother’s family register by report of the mother or responsible person . (The baby can have either father’s surname or mother’s surname)

In case of a birth outside of marital relations, the baby still receives Korean nationality simultaneously with its birth. The baby’s name can be entered in the mother’s family register. If it is impossible to enter the baby’s name in mother’s family register, a new family will be established . If the father makes an reasonable objection against entering the baby’s name in the mother’s family register, the baby is naturalized in the father’s country and deprived of its Korean nationality.

Childbirth between two foreigners:

One of the baby parents needs to inform their respective embassy. To do so, they must submit childbirth certificate issued by the hospital. Other documents may be needed, depending on the nationality. Once the embassy issue birth certificate, the parents can also make passport for the baby. If the parents intend to stay longer in Korea, they should bring the passport to the local immigration office to be issued an Alien Registration Card for the baby.

Childbirth outside of marital relations:

• the father reports a birth, the baby’s name is entered in the father’s family register.
• the mother reports a birth, the baby’s name is reserved in a special birth report file, and will be entered in father’s family register after the confirmation of the baby’s paternity.

Place to report birth:

Birth reports can be made at the local city office [gu, eup, myun] of baby’s permanent domicile at the office of reporter’s present address or at the office of the baby’s birth place.
If the city of the baby’s resident registration is in the same location as the office mentioned above, the birth report can be made at the local district office.

Accompanying Documents:

1. A certificate of birth should be included with the birth reporting documents. The certificate should be prepared by the doctor, midwife or person who oversaw the baby’s birth. In case of a birth outside of a medical institution , a certificate is still required and should be prepared made by a person who is aware of the baby’s birth.
2. A certificate of a birth from a doctor or midwife should follow the regulations relative to medical law or the form sanctioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. A certificate from another person (as mentioned above) should follow Special Form Number 2. In such case, a copy of a document certifying that a seal is registered or a copy of a certificate of residence should be attached.