The maximum financial aid for those taking time off to care for the first child, however, will remain the same, at a maximum of 1.5 million won per month, which accounts for some 40 percent of the monthly average income.

The total number of fathers who are currently on paid parental leave reached 2,129 in the first quarter, increasing by 54.2 percent from 1,381 a year earlier. Of the total 20,935 parents on parental leave, fathers accounted for 10.2 percent as of the end of March, exceeding the 10 percent level for the first time in history.

Both fathers and mothers, who have worked at a company for a year or longer and have children aged under 9, are eligible for up to a year of paid time off. The first parent to use the leave receives up to 40 percent of their monthly income, which is capped at 1 million won. The second parent receives the higher amount given above.

In 2016, parents who were on leave received a monthly average of 696,000 won from the government. 

By Shim Woo-hyun (ws@heraldcorp.com)