The "high oil price damage support fund" to be paid starting on the 27th will be strictly limited by region and business type to spur local spending and support small merchants. The fund will be paid to 70% of the population, ranging from a minimum of 100,000 won to a maximum of 600,000 won per person.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 11th, the area where the funds can be used is limited to the local government with jurisdiction over the address on the resident registration. Residents of special and metropolitan cities (including Sejong and Jeju) can use them anywhere within the respective city or province, while residents in provincial areas can use them only within the city or county that has jurisdiction over their address. For example, a resident of Jung-gu, Seoul can use them anywhere in Seoul, and a resident of Cheongju, North Chungcheong can use them only within Cheongju.
Where they can be used differs by payment method. If received as a local love gift certificate, they can be freely used at affiliated merchants within the local government. In contrast, if paid by credit/debit card or prepaid card, they can be used only at stores run by small merchants with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, except for certain business types.
However, as an exception, Hanaro Mart, local food direct sales stores, regional consumer cooperatives, and Beautiful Store in towns and townships with poor consumption conditions can be used regardless of sales size. Even if located inside a big-box store or department store, leased shops independently run by small merchants, such as flower shops and opticians, are permitted. For franchises such as convenience stores, chicken restaurants, and cafes, directly managed outlets are excluded, but affiliated franchise stores can be used.
Taxis can be used only if annual sales are 3 billion won or less and the garage or corporate location meets the regional requirements. However, payments through PG (payment gateway) systems are restricted.
In principle, they cannot be used for non-face-to-face e-commerce such as online shopping malls and delivery apps. However, the "meet and pay" method using a merchant's own terminal is exceptionally allowed.
They also cannot be used for entertainment and gambling-related industries, cash-like sectors such as converting gift certificates to cash, large foreign-owned stores, automatic transfers for utilities and telecom fees, or non-consumption expenditure such as insurance premiums and donations. PG payment methods such as kiosks or table orders are also restricted.
The funds will be paid on a sliding scale to reflect regional disparities. For the general public, the Seoul metropolitan area receives 100,000 won and non-metropolitan areas receive 150,000 won, while depopulated areas receive 200,000 won as preferred areas and 250,000 won as special support areas. For vulnerable groups, basic amounts are 550,000 won for basic livelihood security recipients and 450,000 won for the near-poor and single-parent families, with an additional 50,000 won if residing in non-metropolitan or depopulated areas.
Depopulated areas encompass 89 cities and counties nationwide, of which 49 are classified as "preferred support areas" and 40 as "special support areas." Special support areas are regions that rank low on both the national balanced development index and the preliminary feasibility study underdevelopment assessment.
Dong-gu, Seo-gu, and Yeongdo-gu in Busan; Ganghwa and Ongjin in Incheon; Gapyeong and Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi; Samcheok, Jeongseon, and Pyeongchang in Gangwon; Gongju, Boryeong, and Taean in South Chungcheong; Damyang and Yeonggwang in South Jeolla; Andong and Yeongju in North Gyeongsang; and Geochang and Miryang in South Gyeongsang are included among the preferred support areas. Yanggu and Hwacheon in Gangwon; Goesan and Danyang in North Chungcheong; Buyeo and Seocheon in South Chungcheong; Gochang, Muju, and Jinan in North Jeolla; Goheung, Wando, and Haenam in South Jeolla; Uiseong and Cheongsong in North Gyeongsang; and Namhae, Hadong, and Hapcheon in South Gyeongsang are special support areas.
The payments are divided into two rounds. Vulnerable groups, including basic livelihood security recipients, the near-poor, and single-parent families, will receive priority payments starting Apr. 27, and the general public will be paid starting May 18 after income-based screening.
Foreign nationals are in principle excluded, but may be included as exceptions if they meet certain conditions, such as being part of a household with a Korean national, or holding permanent residency (F-5), marriage migrant status (F-6), or refugee recognition (F-2-4). Korean nationals staying abroad who return between Mar. 30 and July 17 can receive payment through an objection process.
The government said it separated the first and second application periods to prioritize support for vulnerable groups. After the first round of payments, it will finalize the recipients in the bottom 70% by income, update the system, and conduct card company checks before proceeding with the second round. Vulnerable groups who could not apply during the first period can apply during the second.