[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has introduced a total of six welfare-related policies focusing on the basic aspects of human life, all of which were implemented nationwide for the first time.
According to Gyeonggi Province on the 1st, the policies introduced for the first time nationwide include the Gyeonggi Food Just-Give Corner, Gyeonggi Province Youth Basic Income, Military Service Gyeonggi Youth Accident Insurance Subscription Support, Gyeonggi Ultra-Low Credit Loans, Gyeonggi Middle-Aged and Elderly Happiness Campus, and the development and distribution of smart apps for people with disabilities.
Looking into these projects, the province opened the Gyeonggi Food Just-Give Corner nationwide for the first time in December last year. Any resident can receive food and daily necessities free of charge at three food markets located in Seongnam, Pyeongtaek, and Gwangmyeong where the corners are set up, 33 welfare centers, and 7 homeless facilities.
Nicknamed the 'Corona Jean Valjean,' this policy was introduced nationwide for the first time under the leadership of Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province to prevent livelihood crimes committed due to lack of basic food. Currently, about 800 people visit 43 locations daily. The policy has high public support, with donations (in cash and goods) amounting to approximately 1.05 billion KRW received.
The 'Youth Basic Income' and 'Military Service Gyeonggi Youth Accident Insurance Support' are also policies first introduced by Gyeonggi Province among metropolitan local governments. The Youth Basic Income, first paid in May 2019, provides 250,000 KRW per quarter to 24-year-old youth.
It is characterized by universality, unconditionality, and individuality (targeted at individuals), distinguishing it from youth welfare policies of other local governments. Approximately 140,000 people (with an application rate exceeding 95%) consistently apply each quarter.
According to the analysis of the policy effects of Gyeonggi Province Youth Basic Income by the Gyeonggi Research Institute in December last year, the Youth Basic Income positively influenced mental health, exercise frequency, and dietary habits, thereby enhancing happiness.
In November 2018, the province introduced the Military Service Gyeonggi Youth Accident Insurance Support project as part of building a social safety net for young people serving in the military and their families.
Each year, about 105,000 young residents serving in the military receive support for an insurance subscription fee of 38,000 KRW, automatically enrolling them in accident insurance. The insurance coverage amounts to 200,000 KRW for surgery due to injury or illness, and 30 million KRW in case of death from injury or illness. As of the end of last year, total insurance benefits paid amounted to approximately 3.18 billion KRW to about 3,000 beneficiaries.
The 'Gyeonggi Ultra-Low Credit Loan,' launched nationwide for the first time in April last year, is a project that supports loans of up to 3 million KRW at a low interest rate of 1% per annum with a 5-year maturity after screening for low-credit Gyeonggi residents.
Low-credit individuals who find it difficult to obtain loans from banks or other formal financial institutions sometimes resort to illegal private loans, which can lead to damages such as high interest rates and illegal debt collection.
Accordingly, the province operates loan services tailored to applicant types, including loans for victims of illegal private loans, loans for youth in credit crises, and loans for those in livelihood crises. By the first half of this year, a total of about 72,000 people borrowed approximately 65.6 billion KRW.
The 'Gyeonggi Middle-Aged and Elderly Happiness Campus,' which supports retirement planning, lifelong education, and reemployment for people in their 50s and 60s, officially opened in May at Gangnam University (Yongin) and Daejin University (Pocheon), respectively.
This is the first nationwide to create a comprehensive service space for the future of middle-aged and elderly people in collaboration with universities. About 300 people participated in education during the first half of the year, and three barista trainees are preparing to open cafes, raising expectations for future achievements.
The province developed a convenience facility information system (DB) and a smart app for people with disabilities nationwide for the first time in 2019. After a pilot operation, the official launch is scheduled for this month. Upon distribution, users will be able to easily check wheelchair obstacles such as ramps and stairs within commercial buildings. The province plans not only to distribute the app but also to link it with facility improvements and job creation (field survey personnel).
Moon Jeong-hee, Director of the Welfare Bureau of the province, emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province is implementing various welfare policies to improve the quality of life of residents and has developed and promoted six welfare policies nationwide for the first time so that more residents can benefit. We will continue to create high-quality policies to realize a welfare Gyeonggi that guarantees the basics of life."
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