Starting next month, the government will provide advances on overdue child support payments even if the noncustodial parents pay part of what they owe. 

According to the gender equality ministry on Tuesday, the change was approved last week at a meeting of the child support default review committee.

The advance payment program, which started in July, is meant to reduce the financial burden for single parents and establish a stable environment for child-rearing.

Under the revised system, the custodial parent can apply for a child support advance if the average monthly payment received from the ex-partner during the most recent three months falls short of 200-thousand won, or around 143 U.S. dollars, per child.
 
The government plans to seek voluntary reimbursement from the other parent every six months and initiate collection procedures should that parent fail to respond.