The Korea Small Enterprise and Market Service said on the 30th that the "Small business burden-relief credit" has been paid to 2.97 million small businesses nationwide and that the cumulative amount used from the paid credits has surpassed 1.175 trillion won.
The "Small business burden-relief credit" is a support program that provides a voucher worth 500,000 won in the form of a credit, debit, or prepaid card, which can be used for public utility bills such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as the four major social insurance premiums, telecom fees, and vehicle fuel costs. It was prepared to ease small businesses' fixed-cost burdens.
The "Small business burden-relief credit," which has accepted applications since July 14, completed payments to 2.97 million companies—95.4% of the initial target of 3.11 million—about three months after applications opened. About 140,000 enterprises are currently eligible to apply, and applications close on Nov. 28.
Eligible recipients are small businesses that are operating and have annual sales of more than 0 won and up to 300 million won based on 2024 or 2025. Applications are accepted through the "Small business burden-relief credit" website, and the paid credits can be used until Dec. 31, 2025.
Park Seong-hyo, chair of SEMAS, said, "Given the strong participation driven by active promotion from the start of the program, we will keep encouraging those who have not applied yet so they do not miss the support opportunity during the remaining period."