Dongdaemun-gu to Provide Monthly 50,000 Won Allowance to Spouses of Deceased Veterans

New Welfare Allowance for Spouses Established and Payments Begin This Month

On July 7, Dongdaemun-gu in Seoul announced that, starting this month, it will provide a monthly welfare allowance of 50,000 won to the spouses of deceased veterans in order to strengthen recognition and support for veterans.

Unlike other national merit recipients, the legal eligibility of veterans does not transfer to their surviving family members upon death. As a result, the families of deceased veterans have been unable to receive various forms of support. To address this gap, the district has newly established and begun providing a welfare allowance specifically for the spouses of veterans.

Lee Pilhyung, mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, attending the 'Veterans Sharing Event' held last month at the Veterans Hall in Dongdaemun-gu, chatting with veterans (right). Provided by Dongdaemun-gu.

In December of last year, the district revised the "Dongdaemun-gu Ordinance on Recognition and Support for National Merit Recipients" to provide a legal basis for granting a welfare allowance to the spouses of deceased veterans. The district also secured a supplementary budget to begin payments starting in July 2025.

To be eligible for the veterans’ spouse welfare allowance, applicants must be the spouse of a deceased veteran (from the Korean War or Vietnam War) who was registered as a resident of Dongdaemun-gu. Applicants must submit identification, a copy of their bankbook, the deceased veteran’s national merit certificate or verification, and a family relationship certificate to the community service center in their residential district.

Applications can be submitted at any time once the eligibility criteria are met. Payments will be made on the 25th of each month, starting from the month following the application. If the 25th falls on a Saturday or public holiday, payment will be made on the preceding business day.

However, this allowance cannot be received in addition to the existing veterans’ recognition allowance already provided by the district. Therefore, those who are already receiving the veterans’ recognition allowance are not eligible to apply. Applicants are also excluded if their family relationship registration has changed due to remarriage or similar circumstances.

Lee Pilhyung, mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, "We have established this welfare allowance to provide more special recognition policies for the families of veterans who devoted themselves to the nation," and added, "We will continue to build a comprehensive welfare system to further strengthen recognition and support for national merit recipients."