Final Payment Rate 98%, 52.5 Billion KRW Executed
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 24th that it completed the distribution of the COVID-19 Hope Support Fund on the 20th.
According to the city, Mayor Hong Taeyong initiated the distribution of the COVID-19 Hope Support Fund, which he promised during his candidacy, about 40 days after taking office.
The fund was distributed at 100,000 KRW per person to all citizens. As of August 10, out of 536,725 eligible recipients, 524,888 applied, resulting in a 98% distribution rate, with a budget of 52.5 billion KRW spent.
The final number of non-applicants was 11,837, with 6,155 being simple non-applications, accounting for 52% of the non-applicants.
Among those who did not receive the fund, 3,324 (28.1%) had unclear residency, 1,440 (12.2%) had moved to other cities or counties, 666 (5.6%) were overseas residents, and 252 (2.1%) were deceased.
Among the towns and neighborhoods, Bulamdong had the highest distribution rate at 99.5%, while Hallim-myeon had the lowest at 94.8%.
Immediately after taking office, Mayor Hong stated, “Due to the triple economic challenges of high inflation, high interest rates, and high exchange rates, citizens’ lives are becoming rapidly difficult.” He secured 54.5 billion KRW of city funds in early August through cooperation with the city council and began accepting applications and distributing the support fund simultaneously from August 29.
The city advanced the application period to ensure distribution before Chuseok and stated that recipients of basic pension and disability pension did not need to apply separately, as the support funds were deposited directly into their benefit accounts.
The city explained that applications were accepted simultaneously through the Hope Support Fund website and local administrative welfare centers, with 74% of applications submitted online, 17% through in-person visits to administrative welfare centers, and 9% pre-paid to basic pension and disability pension recipients.
Gimhae City promoted the fund distribution through the city newsletter, banners, SNS promotions, and large portal banner advertisements. In mid-September, individual mail was sent to 24,568 households that had not applied.
Mayor Hong said, “I hope the Hope Support Fund has provided some comfort to citizens who have endured many hardships due to COVID-19,” and added, “I also express my gratitude for actively spending within the region to support local small business owners.”
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