With Chuseok approaching, local governments are moving quickly to pay livelihood stabilization subsidies. To revive consumption dampened by high inflation and an economic downturn and to help stabilize residents' lives, they will provide subsidies of 300,000 to 500,000 won per person, depending on the region, in the form of local currency or prepaid cards.
The place offering the largest subsidy is Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang. As of June 30 this year, Uiryeong County will pay 500,000 won per person to about 24,600 people, including county residents with resident registration, marriage migrants, and permanent residents. The total project cost is 12.5 billion won, and the subsidy will be paid in Uiryeong Love Gift Certificates.
Applications can be made at the township and town resident centers at one's registered address from the 10th to on Nov. 11. Gift certificates can be received on the spot, and the usage deadline is Dec. 31 this year. In the first week of applications, the county will operate a weekday system by the last digit of birth year and also provide a home-visit application service for residents with mobility difficulties.
Yeongdong County in North Chungcheong will also pay a second round of livelihood stabilization subsidies of 300,000 won per person to county residents. Those eligible are county residents who, as of on the 1st of last month, have resident registration in the area and have continued to reside there, and the application period runs from the 17th to Oct. 2. The subsidy will be paid sequentially starting next month in local love gift certificates and can be used through the end of this year. Yeongdong County also paid a first round of livelihood stabilization subsidies of 500,000 won per person to county residents in January this year.
Wanju County in North Jeolla will likewise pay 300,000 won per person in livelihood stabilization subsidies to county residents before Chuseok. About 105,000 people are eligible, including county residents with resident registration, marriage migrants, and permanent residents, as of on the 31st of last month. Applications will be accepted starting on the 8th of next month at township and town Community Service Center and civil service centers, and the subsidy will be provided as a prepaid card that can be used within the county. The usage deadline is Dec. 31 this year.
Each local government expects that paying the subsidies through local currency and prepaid cards will ease residents' living burdens and boost spending in traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts.