800 Companies to Receive Emergency Tariff Damage Vouchers... 42.4 Billion Won Allocated Next Year [Lee Administration's First Budget]

New Emergency Support Voucher for Tariff Damages
1.9 Trillion Won Allocated for Policy Finance Package
Promising Companies to Become Export Stars
50 Billion Won Invested in Overseas Expansion of Distributors

Next year, a new emergency support voucher will be established to help analyze tariff damage and cover logistics costs. With a budget of 42.4 billion won, this program will benefit approximately 800 companies. In the process of cooperation in the shipbuilding industry following the Korea-US tariff negotiations, 70.8 billion won will be allocated to strengthening the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) capabilities of small and medium-sized shipbuilders.

On August 29, the government held a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office to review and approve the '2026 Budget Proposal' containing these measures. Announcing that the budget was designed 'for recovery and growth,' the government stated, "To overcome the current difficult phase, it is time for 'strategic fiscal management' that allocates resources to areas that deliver results, rather than simply pursuing 'expansionary fiscal policy.' We focused on performance-oriented fiscal management," explaining the background of the budget allocation.

Hanwha Ocean Okpo Shipyard in Geoje, Gyeongnam.

New Tariff Damage Support Voucher... 1.9 Trillion Won Policy Finance Package Budget

Next year, the government will allocate a total of 4.3 trillion won in the budget to respond to trade issues and support exports. This is an increase of 2.7 trillion won compared to this year’s 1.6 trillion won. Of this, 2.1 trillion won will be allocated for trade response, which is 70 times more than this year’s 300 billion won.

To strengthen cooperation in line with Korea-US trade negotiations, the government will establish a Korea-US Technology Cooperation Center to support the shipbuilding industry and invest 70.8 billion won to strengthen the MRO capabilities of small and medium-sized shipbuilders. For the policy finance package, including Korea Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of Korea, 1.9 trillion won will be injected to ensure smooth progress in tariff negotiations with the United States for shipbuilding and semiconductors.

There will also be a new 'emergency support voucher' program with a budget of 42.4 billion won to support companies affected by tariffs. The emergency support voucher will provide companies with vouchers for tariff damage analysis, logistics cost support, overseas certification, and new market development, allowing them to select and use the services they need. The government plans to provide the emergency support voucher to about 800 companies next year as a one-time program.

An official from the Ministry of Economy and Finance explained, "Earlier this year, we introduced the Tariff Response Voucher in the first supplementary budget, and the emergency support voucher is an expanded and renamed version of that program. It will be implemented immediately next year, and depending on how the situation develops, we will consider whether it will be needed again in the following years."

Promising Companies to Become Export Stars... 50 Billion Won for Distributors

Next year, 2.2 trillion won will be invested in export support programs, an increase of 600 billion won from this year's 1.6 trillion won. Among these is the newly introduced 'K-Export Star 500' program, which will provide marketing and R&D support to promising domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, helping them grow into export-focused companies. Through this program, 100 companies per year are expected to benefit.

Additionally, 50 billion won will be newly invested in programs that promote the overseas expansion of distribution companies and the simultaneous export of promising consumer goods. A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, "When distribution platform companies expand overseas, they bring small and medium-sized enterprises (consumer goods) along with them. There is strong demand for our consumer products in Southeast Asia and other regions, so we aim to support joint exports." He added, "Support will also include consulting, overseas law firms, and pop-up stores."