A model poses at a postpartum care center, or "joriwon," in Seoul, in this February 2021 file photo. According to a report published on Wednesday, 85.5 percent of Korean mothers who gave birth last year said they received care services provided by such facilities. Courtesy of KT

In Korea, widely regarded as the birthplace of modern postpartum care, utilizing services at postpartum care centers has become a necessity for many women, not just a luxury, according to recent data.

A report released on Wednesday by the Ministry of Health and Welfare revealed that 85.5 percent of new mothers who gave birth in 2024 sought care at postpartum care centers, known locally as "joriwon."

While Korea faces the world's lowest birthrate, it is home to some of the best postpartum care facilities, where new mothers receive hotel-like treatment, including massages and child care classes, while nurses look after their newborns.

The report found that women spent an average of 12.6 days at joriwons, after which they returned home or sought additional rest elsewhere. Overall, new mothers spent an average of 30.7 days receiving postpartum care.

Staying at a premium joriwon can cost tens of thousands of dollars. For example, one center in the affluent area of Gangnam in southern Seoul charged 17 million won for a two-week stay. On average, women paid 2.87 million won ($2,000) for services lasting two to three weeks, a rise from 2.43 million won in 2021 and 2.21 million won in 2018.

When asked why they chose these services, 91.2 percent of women pointed to "health recovery," while just 2.2 percent cited "learning about baby care."

The report also found that more than half of respondents said they experienced postpartum depression, a disorder that causes extreme sadness, irritability and low energy. A total of 68.5 percent said they experienced at least one of the symptoms, with 6.8 percent medically diagnosed with the disorder.

In another finding, 90.2 percent of respondents reported breastfeeding their babies, a decrease from 91.6 percent in 2021. When asked about their reasons for choosing to breastfeed, 86.7 percent cited the health benefits for their babies. Of those who did not breastfeed, 28.7 percent indicated that low breastmilk supply was the reason.

When asked which government policies would be most helpful for their postpartum care, 60.1 percent selected financial support, followed by longer paternity leave for their spouses (37.4 percent) and longer maternity leave for themselves (25.9 percent). The survey allowed multiple responses.

"We will continue to try our best to help create a healthy postpartum care environment for women by reflecting their voices in developing new policies," Kim Sang-hee, director general of the ministry's child policy division, said.

According to government data, as of 2023, there were 456 postpartum care centers in Korea, including 20 operated by local governments. More than half of those facilities — 257 or 56.4 percent — were in the capital area, including 112 in Seoul.