Debate Among Netizens Over Displaying Amount on Card Front
Some Regions Differentiate Card Colors by Amount
The Lee Jaemyung administration has launched the application process for the Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon (Consumption Coupon), a program injecting approximately 14 trillion won to support the recovery of the people's livelihood economy, starting on the 21st. However, controversy has arisen in some regions where the coupons are being distributed as prepaid cards with the charged amount printed on them. While this measure is intended to prevent errors during the card distribution process, there are concerns that the amount displayed could reveal the recipient's income status, such as whether they are a recipient of the Basic Livelihood Security Program.
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the first round of applications for consumer coupons began on the 21st, and within two days, 14,286,084 people, accounting for 28.2% of the total eligible population, applied. The ministry explained that a total of 2.586 trillion won was paid out over the past two days through the applications. Online community
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the first round of applications for the consumption coupon began on the 21st, and within two days, 14,286,084 people, accounting for 28.2% of the total eligible population, applied. The ministry explained that a total of 2.586 trillion won was paid out over the past two days.
A resident of Busan who received a prepaid card posted a photo of the card showing a balance of 430,000 won on an online community, writing, "Why do they have to write the amount? It's embarrassing." The consumption coupon provides a basic amount of 150,000 won to the general public. For those in the near-poor class and single-parent families, 300,000 won is provided, while recipients of the Basic Livelihood Security Program receive 400,000 won. Depending on the region, an additional 30,000 to 50,000 won may be granted, so recipients of the Basic Livelihood Security Program can receive between 430,000 and 450,000 won. As the post spread through online communities, a variety of opinions emerged.
Some comments included, "If the amount needs to be displayed, it should be on the back, not prominently on the front of the card," "If the recipient feels embarrassed, it shows a lack of consideration," and "Each of these stigmas discourages the recipients. Welfare should be handled delicately." On the other hand, other users argued, "If the amount isn't written, it makes it harder for public officials to do their jobs," "If you don't like it, you can cover the amount with a sticker," and "If you don't want the amount displayed, you don't have to receive a prepaid card."
Some regions do not display the amount on the front of prepaid cards
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the first round of applications for consumer coupons began on the 21st, and within two days, 14,286,084 people, accounting for 28.2% of the total eligible population, applied. The ministry explained that a total of 2.586 trillion won was paid out over the past two days. Sunchang County, Jeonbuk
It has been reported that, in addition to Busan, several other regions are also distributing the consumption coupon in the form of prepaid cards with the charged amount printed on the front. In Gwangju, cards for recipients of the Basic Livelihood Security Program are navy blue, while cards for the near-poor class and single-parent families are light green, with the card color differing by recipient category. As a result, recipients of the Basic Livelihood Security Program, the near-poor class, and single-parent families have expressed discomfort, saying that every time they use the card, they are effectively "disclosing" their social status. A netizen from Ulsan also wrote on an online community, "I regret receiving a prepaid card because the amount is printed on it."
From the perspective of local governments, clearly indicating the amount on the prepaid card helps reduce confusion during distribution. Although the government encourages online applications via smartphone apps, vulnerable groups such as the elderly are not familiar with smartphones, so many visited community centers as soon as applications opened on the 21st. To prevent errors in card distribution at these sites, local governments have chosen to print the amount on the card or differentiate the cards by color. However, in a significant number of regions, including Incheon, Gyeonggi, Daegu, and Gangwon, the consumption coupon is not distributed as a prepaid card, so such complaints have not arisen. In places like Seoul, even if the coupon is distributed as a prepaid card, the amount is not printed on the front, prompting suggestions that local governments facing complaints should consider this approach.
On the second day of the first application period for the 'Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon' on the 22nd, a notice indicating the use of the Minsheng Recovery support fund is posted at Olive Young franchise stores in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the first round of applications for the consumption coupon began on the 21st, and within two days, 14,286,084 people, accounting for 28.2% of the total eligible population, applied. The ministry explained that a total of 2.586 trillion won was paid out over the past two days. Among the applicants, 10,623,299 received the consumption coupon via credit or debit card, 1,247,713 via prepaid card, 2,162,638 via local gift certificates (mobile or card), and 252,434 via paper certificates. The government will accept applications for the first round of the Minsheng Recovery Consumption Coupon both online and offline for about eight weeks, until 6 p.m. on September 12. The consumption coupon can be used at small businesses with annual sales of less than 3 billion won, excluding large supermarkets, department stores, and entertainment venues, until November 30.
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