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ACT ON THE PROMOTION OF CREATION OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

Act No. 8695, Dec. 14, 2007

Amended by Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008

Act No. 9932, Jan. 18, 2010

Act No. 10789, jun. 7, 2011

Act No. 11044, Sep. 15, 2011

Act No. 11281, Feb. 1, 2012

Act No. 13263, Mar. 27, 2015

Act No. 14439, Dec. 20, 2016

Act No. 17438, jun. 9, 2020

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
 Article 1 (Purpose)
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people and the development of the State and society, by promoting the creation of a family-friendly social environment.
 Article 2 (Definitions)
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Jan. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
1. The term "family-friendly social environment" means an environment where members of society are able to harmonize work and family life, and the responsibility of raising children and supporting family can be shared at the social level;
2. The term "family-friendly working environment" means a working environment where a family-friendly system helps workers harmonize work and family life;
3. The term "family-friendly system" means as follows:
(a) Flexible working system: flexible working system, work-at-home system and part-time work, etc.;
(b) System for supporting childbirth, child-care and education: Paternity leave, child-care leave, workplace child-care system and child education programs, etc.;
(c) System for supporting dependants: Parent-care services and family medical leave;
(d) System for supporting workers: Programs for health, education, counsel for workers;
(e) Other systems prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family;
4. The term "family-friendly community environment" means a community environment where responsibilities of family-care, such as caring for the seniors and children, can be shared at a community level and where circumstances for family life are created with facilities and space necessary to satisfy various family members.
 Article 3 (Responsibilities of the State and Other Entities)
(1) The State and local governments shall establish and implement comprehensive policies necessary to create a family-friendly social environment.
(2) The State and local governments shall endeavor to take measures on budget related to taking the responsibilities under paragraph (1).
 Article 4 (Responsibilities of Employers)
(1) Employers shall endeavor to create a family-friendly working environment, such as the introduction and expansion of family-friendly systems.
(2) Employers shall endeavor to encourage workers to participate in the operation of family-friendly systems.
CHAPTER Ⅱ BASIC PLANS FOR CREATING FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
 Article 5 (Formulation of Basic Plans for Creating Family-Friendly Social Environment)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family shall formulate basic plans for creating a family-friendly social environment (hereinafter referred to as "basic plans") every five years, after consultation with the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies, so as to promote the creation of a family-friendly social environment. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Mar. 27, 2015>
(2) The basic plans shall include the matters falling under each of the following subparagraphs:
1. Basic directions and objectives of a policy for creating a family-friendly social environment;
2. Matters on the introduction and vitalization of a family-friendly system;
3. Matters on the support for family-friendly companies;
4. Matters on promoting the creation of a family-care community environment;
5. Matters on the construction of family-friendly facilities;
6. Matters on the dissemination of a family-friendly culture;
7. Other matters necessary for creating a family-friendly social environment.
(3) When having formulated a basic plan, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family shall, without delay, report it to the competent standing committee of the National Assembly and inform the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and local governments thereof. <Newly Inserted on Jun. 9, 2020>
(4) Matters necessary for the procedure for formulating a basic plan and other matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020>
 Article 6 (Formulation and Execution of Annual Implementation Plans)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family, heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and heads of local governments shall each year formulate and execute implementation plans (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plans") for creating a family-friendly social environment, in accordance with basic plans. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
(2) The heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and heads of local governments shall submit an implementation plan of the next year and the outcomes from promoting an implementation plan of the previous year under paragraph (1) to the Minister of Gender Equality and Family each year, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, and the Minister of Gender Equality and Family shall evaluate the outcomes from promoting implementation plans each year. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
(3) Necessary matters concerning the formulation and execution of implementation plans or the evaluation of the outcomes of promoting implementation plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 7 (Cooperation in Formulation of Plans)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family, the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and heads of local governments may request the heads of the relevant public institutions, and institutions or organizations related to the creation of a family-friendly social environment, to cooperate on plans, such as the submission of necessary data, when necessary for formulating, executing and evaluating basic plans or implementation plans. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
(2) Persons who are requested to cooperate pursuant to paragraph (1) shall comply with requests, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
 Article 8 (Surveys on Actual Status)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may conduct surveys on the creation of a family-friendly social environment in companies, public institutions and communities every three years and announce the outcomes thereof, so as to formulate and implement policies for creating a family-friendly social environment. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may request companies, public institutions and other relevant corporations or organizations to submit necessary data or present opinions, in order to conduct surveys under paragraph (1). In such cases, the companies or public institutions, etc., which are requested to submit data or present opinions, shall comply with the request, unless there are extenuating circumstances. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(3) Necessary matters concerning the methods, etc. of conducting surveys under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
CHAPTER Ⅲ PROJECTS FOR CREATING FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
 Article 9 (Projects for Creating Family-Friendly Social Environment)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may promote the following projects, in consultation with the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies, so as to execute basic plans and implementation plans efficiently: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
1. Projects for creating a family-friendly working environment;
2. Projects for creating a family-friendly community environment;
3. Projects for creating and disseminating a family-friendly culture;
4. Projects for training specialists necessary for creating a family-friendly social environment;
5. Other projects prescribed by Presidential Decree, for promoting the creation of a family-friendly social environment.
 Article 10 (Evaluation of Projects for Creating Family-Friendly Social Environment)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayors, the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Do Governors and the Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") may evaluate projects for creating a family-friendly social environment, so as to efficiently promote projects for creating a family-friendly social environment. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012; Jun. 9, 2020>
(2) Necessary matters for the subject matter and methods of evaluation, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
 Article 11 (Promoting Creation of Family-Friendly Working Environment)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family and heads of local governments may support the following matters, so as to promote the creation of a family-friendly working environment and encourage the participation of companies: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
1. Providing publicity for improving the recognition of a family-friendly system;
2. Consulting on a family-friendly system;
3. Implementing family-friendly education programs at workplace and training instructors;
4. Developing and distributing family-friendly programs;
5. Selecting and awarding best family-friendly companies;
6. Other matters prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family for promoting the creation of a family-friendly working environment.
(2) The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and heads of local governments may preferentially treat small and medium enterprises, when providing support pursuant to paragraph (1). <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
 Article 12 (Promotion of Creation of Family-Friendly Working Environment in Industrial Complexes)
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and heads of local governments may implement the following projects, so as to promote the creation of a family-friendly working environment in an industrial complex designated under the Industrial Sites and Development Act: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Jun. 7, 2011; Feb. 1, 2012>
1. Establishment of child care centers, etc.to be jointly used by companies and support for the operation thereof;
2. Development and distribution of family-friendly programs;
3. Other projects prescribed by Presidential Decree, for promoting the creation of a family-friendly working environment in an industrial complex.
 Article 13 (Promoting Creation of Family-Friendly Community Environment)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family and heads of local governments may implement the following projects, so as to promote the creation of a family-friendly community environment: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
1. Development and distribution of a family-friendly community model;
2. Support for the construction of family-friendly facilities;
3. Development and support of family-care community programs;
4. Evaluation of family-friendly factors in a community environment;
5. Education and publicity for improving the recognition of a family-friendly community environment.
(2) Heads of local governments may provide support to the creation of a family-friendly community environment in a region under their jurisdiction. <Amended on Feb. 1, 2012>
(3) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may wholly or partially subsidize expenses incurred in creating a family-friendly community environment under paragraph (2) within budgetary limits. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(4) Necessary matters concerning the standards and procedures, etc. for subsidizing expenses under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 14 (Development and Declaration of Family Friendliness Index)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may develop and distribute a systematic index to measure the level of family friendliness (hereinafter referred to as "Family Friendliness Index"). <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may measure the Family Friendliness Index of companies and public institutions, etc. prescribed by Presidential Decree, and publicly announce the outcomes thereof. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(3) Companies and public institutions, etc. the Family Friendliness Index of which is to be measured pursuant to paragraph (2), shall cooperate therewith, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
CHAPTER Ⅳ FAMILY-FRIENDLY CERTIFICATION OF COMPANIES
 Article 15 (Certification of Family-Friendly Companies)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may grant family-friendly certification (hereinafter referred to as "certification") to companies or public institutions (hereinafter referred to as "companies, etc.") which exhibit the exemplary operation of a family-friendly system, so as to promote the creation of a family-friendly social environment. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2) Any person who intends to obtain certification shall file an application to the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Jun. 9, 2020>
(3) Companies, etc., which have received certification, may indicate such certification, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(4) No company, etc., which fails to obtain certification, shall give an indication of certification or similar indications.
(5) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may place the burden of paying expenses incurred in examining and evaluating family friendliness on a person who files an application of certification pursuant to paragraph (2), as prescribed by Ordinance of the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(6) Necessary matters concerning the standards and procedures for certification shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(7) Public institutions prescribed by Presidential Decree shall be certified by the Minister of Gender Equality and Family after meeting the certification standards specified in paragraph (6). <Newly Inserted on Mar. 27, 2015>
 Article 16 (Designation of Family-Friendly Certification Institutions)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may designate institutions specializing in family-friendly certification of companies, etc., as family-friendly certification institutions (hereinafter referred to as "certification institutions") and allow such institutions to perform the duties of certification under Article 15 (1). <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2) Any person who intends to be designated as a certification institution, shall file an application to the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, after satisfying the designation standards, such as specialists necessary for certification. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Jun. 9, 2020>
(3) When certification institutions fall under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family may revoke designation thereof or order to suspend all or part of their operations, setting a period less than six months: Provided, That when certification institutions fall under subparagraph 1, he or she shall revoke the designation: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
1. When they are designated as certification institutions by fraud or other improper means;
2. When they perform the duties of certification during the period of operation suspension, in violation of an order for the suspension of operation;
3. When they fail to satisfy designation standards under paragraph (5);
4. When they perform the duties of certification, in violation of certification standards under Article 15 (6).
(4) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may wholly or partially subsidize expenses incurred in performing the duties of certification for certification institutions designated pursuant to paragraph (1), within the budget. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(5) Necessary matters concerning the standards and procedures for designation of certification institutions and the scope of certification shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
 Article 17 (Effective Period of Certification)
(1) The term of validity of certification obtained under Article 15 (1) shall be three years from the date certification is acquired.
(2) The term of validity under paragraph (1) may be extended only once by not more than two years.
(3) Necessary matters regarding the applications for extending the term of validity of certification under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
 Article 17-2 (Follow-Up Management of Certification)
The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may investigate whether certified companies meet the certification standards under Article 15 (6).
[This Article Newly Inserted on Dec. 20, 2016]
 Article 18 (Revocation of Certification)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may revoke certification, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, when companies, etc. which have been certified pursuant to Article 15 (1) fall under any of the following subparagraphs: Provided, That he or she shall revoke the certification, when companies, etc. fall under subparagraph 1: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
1. Where the person was certified by fraud or other improper means;
2. When they fail to meet certification standards under Article 15 (6).
(2) Where the Minister of Gender Equality and Family has revoked certification under paragraph (1), he or she shall notify, without delay, the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies or the heads of local governments under jurisdiction of such revocation.<Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(3) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family shall not grant certification to companies, etc., the certifications of which have been revoked under paragraph (1) 1, unless three years lapse after the date of cancellation. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
 Article 19 (Designation of Family-Friendly Support Center)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family and heads of local governments may designate a family-friendly support center, so as to promote the creation of a family-friendly social environment. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
(2) A family-friendly support center designated under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "family-friendly support center") shall implement the following projects: <Amended on Sep. 15, 2011; Jun. 9, 2020>
1. Training of specialists related to family-friendliness;
2. Development of family-friendly programs;
3. Consulting on a family-friendly system;
4. Collection and provision of information on a family-friendly system and family-friendly cases;
5. Various research, investigations and public relations aimed at promoting the creation of a family-friendly social environment;
5-2. Promotion of the workplace child-care system;
6. Other projects necessary for promoting the creation of a family-friendly social environment.
(3) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family and heads of local governments may wholly or partially subsidize expenses incurred in performing the duties under the subparagraphs of paragraph (2) for a family-friendly support center, within budgetary limits. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012; Jun. 9, 2020>
(4) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family and heads of local governments may revoke designation as a family-friendly support center in any of the following cases: Provided, That in the case of paragraph (1), such designation shall be revoked: <Newly Inserted on Jun. 9, 2020>
1. Where a family-friendly support center has obtained designation by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where a family-friendly support center fails to perform the duties referred to in the subparagraphs of paragraph (2) for not less than one month without good cause;
3. Where a family-friendly support center no longer meets the designation standards under paragraph (5).
(5) Standards and procedures for the designation of a family-friendly support center or for the revocation of such designation, a period for designation, the operation of such center and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020>
CHAPTER V SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
 Article 20 (Reporting and Inspection)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may order certification institutions or companies, etc. which have received certification to report the certification or submit data, and allow the relevant public officials to enter the office to inspect the relevant documents, facilities or equipment, etc. when it is deemed necessary for the enforcement of this Act. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2) Certification institutions and companies, etc. which have received certification shall keep and preserve the relevant documents, such as data for examining certification, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(3) Any public official who enters the office to conduct an inspection pursuant to paragraph (1), shall carry a certificate indicating his or her authority and show such certificate to the relevant persons.
 Article 21 (Hearings)
The Minister of Gender Equality and Family or the head of a local government shall hold a hearing, when making any of the following dispositions: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010; Jun. 9, 2020>
1. Revocation of designation as a certification institution under Article 16 (3);
2. Revocation of certification under Article 18 (1);
3. Revocation of designation as a family-friendly support center under Article 19 (4).
 Article 22 (Delegation and Entrustment of Authority)
(1) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may delegate part of his or her authority under this Act to the Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (referring to the head of an autonomous Gu), as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
(2) The Minister of Gender Equality and Family may entrust part of his or her duties under this Act to institutions, corporations or organizations which have been established to promote the creation of a family-friendly social environment, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 18, 2010>
 Article 23 (Prohibition of Use of Similar Titles)
No person, other than a family-friendly support center under this Act, shall use the name "family-friendly support center" or similar title.
 Article 24 (Legal Fiction as Public Officials in Applying Penalty Provisions)
Executives and employees of certification institutions shall be deemed public officials in the application of the penal provisions under Articles 129 through 132 of the Criminal Act.
CHAPTER VI PENALTY PROVISIONS
 Article 25 (Administrative Fines)
(1) The following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding five million won:
1. A person who receives certification pursuant to Article 15 (1) by fraud or other wrongful means;
2. A person who indicates certification, in violation of Article 15 (4);
3. A person who is designated as a certification institution under Article 16 by fraud or other wrongful means;
4. A person who is designated as a family-friendly support center under Article 19, by fraud or other wrongful means.
(2) Any person who falls under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding three million won:
1. A person who fails to report or submit the relevant documents pursuant to Article 20 (1) without any justifiable ground, or who fraudulently reports or submits documents;
2. A person who fails to keep and maintain relevant documents, in violation of Article 20 (2);
3. A person who uses "family-friendly support center" or similar title, in violation of Article 23.
(2) Administrative fines under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Gender Equality and Family or the head of a local government, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 1, 2010; Feb. 1, 2012>
(4) Deleted. <Feb. 1, 2012>
(5) Deleted. <Feb. 1, 2012>
(2) Deleted. <Feb. 1, 2012>
ADDENDA <Act No. 8695, Dec. 14, 2007>
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
(2) (Transitional Measures Concerning Basic Plans for Creating Family-Friendly Social Environment) Plans for creating a family-friendly social environment, from among basic plans and implementation plans on healthy families formulated under Articles 15 and 16 of the Framework Act on Healthy Families, at the time this Act enters into force, shall be deemed basic plans and implementation plans for creating a family-friendly social environment under Articles 5 and 6 of this Act, respectively.
ADDENDA <Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 9932, Jan. 18, 2010>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force two months from the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 5 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 10789, Jun. 7, 2011>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months from the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 11044, Sep. 15, 2011>
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 11281, Feb. 1, 2012>
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 13263, Mar. 27, 2015>
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 15 (7) shall enter into force two years after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 14439, Dec. 20, 2016>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Act No. 17438, Jun. 9, 2020>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 5 (3) shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability to Formulation of Basic Plan for Creating Family-Friendly Social Environment)
The amended provisions of Article 5 (3) shall begin to apply to the first basic plan formulated after this Act enters into force.
Article 3 (Applicability to Hearings)
The amended provisions of Article 21 shall also apply to cases where proceedings for the revocation of designation as a family-friendly support center have already been commenced under the previous provisions as at the time this Act enters into force.