Namhae County to Provide Livelihood Stabilization Subsidy to All Residents
"For the Purpose of Stimulating Local Consumption and Revitalizing the Local Economy"
In Response to Criticism of 'Populism'... "Bold Investment Needed for Economic Recovery"
While Geoje City in South Gyeongsang Province is moving forward with a plan to provide 200,000 won per person as a livelihood recovery subsidy to boost the local economy, Namhae County has also decided to distribute a livelihood stabilization subsidy. The county plans to stimulate local consumption and revitalize the local economy by utilizing the early May holiday period.
On April 28, Namhae County announced that it would provide a livelihood stabilization subsidy of 100,000 won per person to residents in order to overcome the economic downturn and stabilize the lives of its citizens. The subsidy will be distributed in the form of Namhae Love Gift Certificates from May 2 to May 30. Eligible recipients include residents registered in the county, as well as foreign nationals who are either marriage immigrants or permanent residents currently residing in the area.
The county recently proposed an ordinance to provide the legal basis for distributing the subsidy to help overcome current economic difficulties, which was passed by the county council. In accordance with this ordinance, approximately 4 billion won was allocated in the "2025 First Supplementary Budget" to provide subsidies to about 39,600 residents, and the county council approved the supplementary budget on April 25.
Some have criticized Namhae County's decision to distribute this stabilization subsidy, pointing out the county's low fiscal self-reliance and calling it a "populist measure." In response, a county official explained, "We decided to provide the subsidy because we believe bold fiscal investment is necessary to revive the sluggish economy."
Meanwhile, Geoje City in South Gyeongsang Province is also moving forward with a plan to provide a livelihood recovery subsidy of 200,000 won per person to all citizens in order to boost the local economy. On April 16, Geoje Mayor Kwangyong Byun stated in a briefing room at city hall, "Citizens and self-employed people are facing a harsh reality where it is no longer possible to endure the triple burden of high prices, high interest rates, and high rents," and announced plans to distribute a total of 47 billion won in livelihood recovery subsidies.
However, it remains uncertain whether this subsidy program will proceed smoothly. In particular, People Power Party city council members are demanding the withdrawal of the subsidy program, calling it "blatant vote-buying." The Geoje City Council, which consists of 16 members, is evenly split between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party with seven members each, and the two independents are both former members of these parties. As a result, heated debate is expected over whether the program will move forward.
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