The Ministry of the Interior and Safety noted on the 1st that by Dec. 30 of last year, local governments nationwide had secured 80 billion won through the "hometown love donation system." Donations increased by 15 billion won (23%) from 65 billion won in 2023.
The hometown love donation system is a scheme that allows individuals to donate to their hometown or region where they no longer reside, receiving tax deductions and gifts in return. The donations delivered to local governments are used for various projects. For instance, Gokseong established the first pediatric clinic. Anseong and Icheon in Gyeonggi Province have been working on recovery efforts from heavy snowfall damage.
Anyone can participate in the hometown love donation system and donate up to 20 million won this year. Donations up to 100,000 won are fully tax-deductible; for amounts exceeding 100,000 won up to 20 million won, a 16.5% tax deduction applies. For example, if you donate 100,000 won, you will receive the full amount back through end-of-year tax adjustments in the following year and receive a gift worth up to 30% (30,000 won) of the donation, totaling a benefit of 130,000 won.
◇ strengthening regional healthcare and supporting youths preparing for independence
Gokseong secured 80 million won from the hometown love donations and opened a pediatric clinic last August. Residents of Gokseong previously had to travel two hours round trip to a big city if their children got sick due to the absence of a local pediatric clinic. Currently, a visiting doctor provides consultations twice a week, and there are plans to hire a resident physician. Gokseong has set a goal to secure an additional 250 million won and has already received 230 million won (92%). A Gokseong official stated, "We will find solutions to regional issues like population decline through the hometown love donations."
In Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, pediatric services will begin at Konyang University Buyeo Hospital on the 6th. The only existing pediatric service in the region closed at the end of last year. Buyeo employed 59 million won from hometown love donations to purchase medical equipment and establish a pediatric department at Buyeo Hospital. Kim Ok-sun, head of the Buyeo Country Health Center, said, "We aim to provide essential medical services smoothly within the region."
In Seoul's Seongdong-gu, hometown love donations are used to support youths preparing for independence. These youths, who aged out of child care facilities or foster care, receive government assistance from ages 18 to 22. Seongdong-gu plans to provide 500,000 won monthly for one year beginning from age 22, when government support ends. Starting from last November, they secured 95 million won (48%) out of the 198 million won goal in just over two months.
Anseong and Icheon have been collecting hometown love donations since the end of last year to recover from heavy snowfall damage. The heavy snow caused the collapse of ginseng cultivation facilities, greenhouses, and livestock farms, complicating the residents' livelihood. These regions plan to use the donations to provide emergency living stabilization funds and psychological counseling.
◇ "Merch saiso" regional specialties and small garden leases... even out-of-stock gifts
Each local government offers unique gifts. Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province introduced T-shirts with the regional specialty anchovy slogan "Merch saiso." In Busan and Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, shares of public gardens were offered, which ran out of stock. Gwangju's Dong-gu offered distilled liquor made from just rice, yeast, and water (Wolgwangju), apple juice from Samcheok farms in Gangwon Province, and pesticide-free tomatoes grown by a master in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, which are all out of stock.
There are also gifts that can be used for tourism and consumption in the region. In Okcheon, North Chungcheong Province, bicycles and helmets are offered for rent around Daecheong lake, Jangje tourist site, and the banks of the Geum river. Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, offers passes to themed amusement parks, such as Viking rides at U-World. In Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, local currency (Gwacheontori) can be used like cash at affiliated stores; in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, upcycled denim caps made from recycled jeans are offered as gifts.
Participating in the hometown love donation system is simple. After donating on the Gohyangsarangeum website, you receive points that can be used to purchase your desired gift. Donations for tax deductions close at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 each year. The points for gifts can be used for up to five years.