Seoul Establishes Support System to Ensure Foreign Residents Don't Miss Out on 'Consumption Coupons'

Guidance from Application Procedures to Smishing Prevention

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has established a support system to minimize difficulties such as language barriers for foreign residents who are eligible to receive the livelihood recovery consumption coupons.

On the 17th, the city announced its plan to address challenges such as language barriers through its 18 foreign resident facilities and 26 family centers. The centers will provide guidance on preventing and responding to smishing scams, checking eligibility, and the procedures for application and appeals.

Yonhap News

According to the city, approximately 80,000 foreign residents in Seoul are eligible to receive the consumption coupons. Out of about 450,000 foreign residents living in Seoul, this represents roughly 17.8% of the total.

The eligibility criteria for foreign residents to apply for the consumption coupons are as follows: ▲ Those listed on a resident registration form that includes at least one Korean national and are either enrolled in the National Health Insurance as a subscriber or dependent, or are recipients of medical benefits; ▲ Households composed solely of foreign nationals are also eligible if they are permanent residents (F-5), marriage immigrants (F-6), or recognized refugees (F-2-4), and are either insured under the National Health Insurance as a subscriber or dependent, or are recipients of medical benefits.

The application period for eligible foreign residents is the same as for Korean nationals. Applications will be accepted starting at 9 a.m. on the 21st, and the coupons can be used until the end of November. During the first week of implementation, from the 21st to the 25th, a day-of-the-week system based on year of birth will also apply to foreign residents.

Lim Jaekeun, Director of Foreign Resident and Immigration Affairs for Seoul, stated, "In accordance with government policy, we will ensure that foreign residents, as members of our society, do not face difficulties from application to use by following the same procedures as Korean nationals." He added, "We especially urge eligible foreign residents to be vigilant against smishing scams."