Changwon Special City, "This Year’s Changes in Systems and Policies Explained"

Full Fare Support for Seniors Aged 75 and Over
Including Complete Free Usage

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam has carefully selected newly implemented or expanded customized systems and policies starting this year and published the booklet "Policies Changing in 2025" (including an e-book).

The newly published "Policies Changing in 2025" organizes major systems and policies newly promoted or changed by the government, province, and city in the new year by demand groups such as children, youth, and the elderly, as well as by fields such as welfare, economy, and agriculture and forestry. It consists of a total of 50 systems and policies across 9 major policy targets. Among them, 19 are new projects, and 31 are expanded initiatives.

◆ Establishing a Dense Welfare Safety Net for Future Generations

Changwon City recently raised the child meal unit cost for low-income families from 9,000 KRW to 9,500 KRW reflecting recent price increases and expanded the age range for daycare center expense support from 4?5 years old to 3?5 years old to reduce childcare burdens. The Child Development Support Account project for asset formation of protected children and children from basic livelihood security households will also expand the application target to include near-poor households.

For young prospective entrepreneurs, customized startup education will be provided, and for young farmers, a new initiative to lease management practice farms will be launched. The self-reliance settlement fund for youth aging out of protection, previously 12 million KRW, will be increased to 15 million KRW to strengthen practical support. Additionally, "Seollenday," a series of various events for unmarried men and women residing or working in Changwon City, will be newly promoted.

◆ Stable Family Support and Expansion of Elderly Welfare

For newlyweds, the housing purchase loan interest support project, which supports interest within 3% of the loan balance (up to 1.5 million KRW annually), will extend the eligibility period from within 5 years of marriage registration to within 7 years. For pregnant women, a 50% discount on public parking lot fees will be provided, and a new agricultural food voucher allowing the purchase of fresh agricultural products will be offered to households receiving livelihood benefits that include pregnant women and children.

For seniors aged 75 and older, free city bus use, which previously had a monthly limit of 8 rides, will be fully implemented. The eligibility and number of participants in senior job and social activity support projects will be increased, and the provision of rice to senior centers and the Happy Table program will be expanded to support a healthy old age.

◆ Customized Support for Socially Vulnerable and Considerate Groups

To guarantee mobility rights for persons with disabilities, support will be provided for electric assistive device insurance enrollment and charging facilities will be expanded. For farmers who have complained about the inconvenience of existing agricultural sheds where lodging was prohibited, the Agricultural Land Act will be amended to allow installation of rural stay-type shelters that can be used as temporary accommodations. The payment area and unit price of eco-friendly agricultural direct payments will also be increased.

For companies, customized consulting will be provided to obtain family-friendly company certification, and a multicultural lifelong education program will be newly operated for foreigners residing in Changwon City to support their settlement in the local community.

◆ Enhancing Convenience in Citizens’ Daily Lives

In addition, many policies that improve daily convenience will be newly established or expanded. Mobile resident ID issuance service will start in February, and new lifestyle services such as operating the Pet Village companion animal culture center will be introduced. Infrastructure closely related to citizens’ lives will also be improved, including adjusting hydrogen charging station operating hours and creating dedicated parking lots for camping vehicles.

The "Policies Changing in 2025" booklet containing these details can be found at civil service desks in each eup, myeon, and dong administrative welfare center, and it is also published as an e-book so that materials can be accessed anytime on the city’s website.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, stated, "The policies and systems changing this year focus on projects that can increase the sense of change in daily life such as welfare, economy, and citizen life," and added, "We will strive to actively promote these newly implemented or expanded systems and policies so that they can bring real benefits to citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.