'Elegant Rider Care Fund' Available for Application Even Without Working with Baemin

Delivery Workers Facing Financial Hardship Due to Accidents Can Apply... Up to 10 Million KRW Support for Medical and Living Expenses

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] Woowa Brothers announced on the 21st that the 'Woowa Rider Care Fund,' established to cover rider medical expenses and living costs, is available to anyone working in delivery services, even if they do not work with Baedal Minjok. The 'Woowa Rider Care Fund' was created in May last year by Woowa Brothers CEO Kim Bong-jin, who donated 2 billion KRW of personal funds to protect the safety and livelihood of food delivery workers. The fund supports riders who have difficulty even obtaining insurance due to financial hardship or credit issues by providing up to 5 million KRW for living and medical expenses, with a maximum limit of 10 million KRW per accident.

According to Woowa Brothers, from May last year to January this year, the fund supported a total of nine riders with medical and living expenses due to accidents. Analyzing the support status, all recipients were riders affiliated with Chinese restaurants or delivery agencies, not Baemin Riders. Most of them were economically vulnerable single-person households who faced difficulties in their livelihood after accidents occurred while performing delivery duties.

The types of accidents were mostly traffic accidents or road-related incidents occurring during return trips after deliveries. The total amount paid to the nine riders was approximately 61 million KRW, with 43.1 million KRW for medical expenses and 15.23 million KRW for living expenses. The first-year budget was set at 300 million KRW and is planned to be used up first. Riders can apply directly, or medical social workers at 321 hospitals nationwide equipped with emergency rooms collect and process applications through direct monitoring. The Korea Association of Medical Social Workers reviews the eligibility for medical and financial support and determines the support amount through a deliberation process.

A Woowa Brothers representative stated, "We hope that the fact that anyone working as a delivery rider, even if not with Baedal Minjok, can use the Woowa Rider Care Fund will be widely known so that more people can alleviate their worries about living and medical expenses."