Indian Mom Reveals South Korea Gave Her ₹1.26 Lakh Just for Having a Baby

When an Indian mom recently shared a video saying she received ₹1.26 lakh as a congratulatory aid from the South Korean government simply for giving birth there. The video quickly went viral, prompting many to ask: How does this work? Why was she given cash just for having a baby?

What’s Behind the Baby Bonus?

South Korea has been facing a steep decline in birth rates. They have introduced aggressive incentives to encourage childbirth. Starting in recent years, various municipalities offer new parents substantial one-time grants. On top of that, monthly allowances and childcare subsidies are often available for families with infants and toddlers.

These child benefits are typically given to legal residents and citizens. Still, some countries are even offering it to foreign parents who often hold permanent residency. That seems to be how the Indian mother received her ₹1.26 lakh aid.

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Why Does South Korea Do This?

Statistics in South Korea show one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, which is below 1.0 per woman. To reverse this trend, the government has rolled out some family-friendly policies

• Cash grants for newborns and subsequent children
• Monthly child benefits up to 1 million won
•  Around ₹60,000 for infants under one, with slightly reduced amounts for toddlers
• Expanded paternity/maternity leave, housing subsidies, and even community support programmes

Support was initially limited to citizens, but surveys say up to 80% of South Koreans now support extending such benefits even to permanent residents.

One Mother’s Story, Many Reactions

In the viral video, the mother shared her gratitude for receiving ₹1.26 lakh as soon as her baby arrived. This wasn’t a loan or gift from a private institution. It was government aid, meant to ease the early stage of raising a child. She said it helped cover initial expenses and gave her and her child a better start.

A user on Reddit mentioned, "these benefits are 98% of the time only available if the child has Korean citizenship through one parent.”

For many Indians, it’s also a wake-up call about how migration status affects access to welfare benefits. Not all residents receive equal support. Families with mixed citizenship or permanent resident are the ones who can avail this benefit.

The Government Understands

What caught attention here was a government recognising that raising a child comes with expenses. It’s about creating an environment where parents are valued, emotionally as well as socially.

For the Indian mom who shared her experience, the aid was practical help. For viewers in India, it was a window into the kind of family-first policies that other countries already have.