Gwangmyeong City to Provide "Safety Insurance" Support for Senior Citizens Collecting Recyclables

Automatic Enrollment with Recyclable Price Support
Coverage Includes Up to 5 Million Won for Injury Diagnosis

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province will support the enrollment of safety insurance for local senior citizens who collect recyclable materials.

On June 16, the city announced that it will implement the "Safety Insurance Support Program for Senior Citizens Collecting Recyclables," the first of its kind in Gyeonggi Province, to provide a robust economic safety net for elderly residents.

This program fully covers the insurance premiums for senior citizens who collect recyclables and are exposed to various risks such as traffic accidents and heat- or cold-related illnesses, in order to alleviate the financial burden they may face after an accident occurs.

Previously, in November of last year, the city enacted an ordinance to support senior citizens collecting recyclables and began providing price support for waste materials up to 125,000 won per month starting this year. Recently, the city expanded the list of supported items to include cans and scrap metal, providing a certain level of income security to seniors who make a living by collecting recyclables.

The city expects that, in addition to these measures, the safety insurance support program will further strengthen the economic safety net for elderly citizens who may suddenly face financial difficulties due to accidents or illness.

Senior citizens aged 65 or older who are registered as collectors of recyclables and are already receiving price support are automatically enrolled in the safety insurance and can receive benefits without a separate application. Insurance claims can be filed with the insurer contracted by Gwangmyeong City.

The coverage includes up to 5 million won each for injury diagnosis and liability for damages to others caused by accidents, 100,000 won for diagnosis of heat- or cold-related illnesses, and up to 10 million won in the event of death from a traffic accident while walking on the road. Damages from cyber financial crimes are also covered up to 1 million won.

Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong, said, "This support will serve as a strong welfare safety net for senior citizens who collect recyclables on the streets to make a living," adding, "We will continue to pursue comprehensive welfare policies that provide practical support for the lives of our elderly residents."