Incheon Metropolitan City, in collaboration with ChildFund Korea's Incheon Headquarters, announced plans to provide ₩360 million in asset-building support to 200 children from families receiving basic living security benefits and facing financial hardships.

This year, the eligibility criteria for the child development accounts (CDA) program have been significantly expanded, now including children from households with a median income of 50% or below and those under 18. This is a notable increase from last year, which supported children from households with a median income of 40% or below and aged between 12 and 18. However, for children who are unable to deposit savings due to economic difficulties, Incheon and ChildFund Korea Incheon have partnered to connect these children to the Didim Seed account through public-private partnership.

To achieve this goal, Incheon, in partnership with ChildFund Korea, is hosting a "Christmas in August" fundraising relay in the form of a “Santa challenge.”

The challenge was launched in May by Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and since then, it has seen active participation from many citizens. The fundraising relay will continue until the closing ceremony on August 28.

Funds raised through this fundraiser will be used to provide a monthly donation of ₩50,000 per child for one year, beginning in September. Additionally, the government will contribute ₩100,000 per month per child in matching funds, creating a self-sustaining reserve of ₩1.8 million per year per child. With support for 200 children, the total asset accumulation will reach ₩360 million annually, comprising ₩120 million from sponsorships and ₩240 million from government matching.

Incheon Metropolitan City's Director-General Si Hyeon-jeong for Gender Equality and Family stated, “The independence of children is a crucial issue that the community must address collectively. We are deeply grateful to the citizens, institutions and organizations who, alongside ChildFund Korea's Incheon Headquarters, actively collaborated to find sponsors and match children.”