Mapo-gu Offers Up to 1 Million KRW Support for Voluntarily Closed Academies and Private Institutes

Inducing Voluntary Closure for 693 Academies (Including Study Rooms) and 419 Private Institutes... Support of 500,000 to 1,000,000 KRW for 5 or More Consecutive Days of Closure from 8th to 19th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) will provide closure support funds to academies and private institutes that voluntarily close to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This decision was made as a result of discussions among Seoul district mayors during a video conference held on the 7th at the Seoul Metropolitan District Mayors' Council.

The core of the plan is to support academies and private institutes that voluntarily participate in the government's extended two-week 'social distancing' campaign to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In fact, the closure rate of academies and private institutes decreased from 45% on March 1 to 13% on April 1. Due to continued social distancing, the economic burden of fixed costs such as instructor wages and rent has increased, leading to a trend of more academies reopening.

According to the district's support plan, the eligible targets are a total of 1,112 facilities in Mapo-gu registered with the Western Education Support Office as of April 7, including 693 academies (including study rooms) and 419 private institutes.

The district plans to support academies and private institutes that voluntarily close for five or more consecutive days between April 8 and 19.

Additionally, facilities that closed for five or more consecutive days during this period can receive support including the days closed between April 3 and 7. However, closures prior to the 3rd will not be applied retroactively.

The support amount ranges from a minimum of 500,000 KRW to a maximum of 1,000,000 KRW depending on the number of closure days for closures lasting five or more consecutive days.

To finalize the selection of support recipients, the district will conduct unannounced inspections during the closure period, and facilities confirmed to have operated for one or more days will be excluded from support.

Also, facilities registered under two or more business types that have received related support for other business types will be excluded from support.

The application period is from the 9th to the 14th. Business owners or their representatives must prepare one copy each of the closure support fund application form, closure certificate issued by the Western Education Support Office, business registration certificate, representative’s ID, and bankbook, and submit them by visit, mail, email (cutehoho@mapo.go.kr / mn2001@mapo.go.kr), or fax (☎3153-8989).

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “Although fatigue and economic burdens are increasing due to continued social distancing, we must not be complacent with the thought of ‘It should be okay now.’ I hope many academies will participate for thorough quarantine.”