Meal Support for Employees in Population-Declining Areas... Tourists to Receive Up to 200,000 Won Reimbursement [Lee Government's First Budget]

Small-Scale Projects Included in Next Year's Budget
Weekly Fruit Snacks for First and Second Graders
Expanded Free Influenza and HPV Vaccinations for Adolescents

From next year, employees of small and medium-sized enterprises working in regions with declining populations will receive meal support worth 40,000 won per month. Tourists visiting these population-declining areas can receive up to 200,000 won in local gift certificates, equivalent to half of their travel expenses.

On August 29, the government reviewed and approved the "2026 Budget Plan" containing these measures at a Cabinet meeting. The new budget plan includes several small-scale projects closely related to the daily lives of citizens, aiming to provide tangible benefits.

To enhance employee welfare and revitalize local economies, the government has newly allocated a budget of 7.9 billion won for the pilot project "A Hearty Meal for Employees." This project provides employees of small and medium-sized enterprises located in population-declining areas with breakfast or lunch support worth 40,000 won per month. Employees can choose between the "1,000 Won Breakfast," which offers a regular meal for 1,000 won per serving, or the "Hearty Lunch," which provides a 20% discount on dining-out expenses for lunch.

A new budget of 6.5 billion won has been allocated for a program that reimburses half of travel expenses, up to 200,000 won, in local gift certificates to citizens who travel to 20 selected rural areas with declining populations. Through this initiative, it is expected that 100,000 teams of tourists will benefit next year. The reimbursement will be jointly funded by the national government (30%) and local governments (70%).

A new allocation of 7.5 billion won will be made for a program allowing seniors aged 65 and older to attend customized sports classes for free at public sports facilities and welfare centers. This will enable 1 million seniors per year to benefit, regardless of their income. Additionally, a budget of 16.9 billion won will be used to provide snacks made from domestic fruits and vegetables once a week to first and second-grade students participating in customized classrooms at elementary Neulbom Schools nationwide.

A total of 84.9 billion won will be invested in expanding free influenza and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for adolescents to reduce household burdens and prevent infections. The free influenza vaccination, previously available to those aged 13 and under, will be extended to those aged 14 and under starting next year. Free HPV vaccination, previously provided only to girls aged 12 to 17, will be expanded to include boys aged 12 from next year.

A budget of 1.5 billion won will be used to expand local child centers that provide care for children for up to 24 hours, and 2.6 billion won will be allocated to strengthen support for child care services during nighttime hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). The number of local child centers operating until 10 p.m. will increase to 300, and 50 new centers operating until midnight will be established nationwide. For households with income at or below 75% of the median that require emergency nighttime care, all nighttime surcharges and out-of-pocket expenses will be fully covered.

A new budget of 5 billion won has been allocated for a project that provides essential food items, such as basic groceries, food kits, and rice, worth 20,000 to 30,000 won per visit, to anyone in need who visits the "Basic Food Security Corner" at one of 130 food markets nationwide. The government also plans to connect those who visit the corner more than twice with available welfare services after social welfare counseling.

A budget of 3.9 billion won will be invested to reduce the care burden on families of people with developmental disabilities and children with disabilities, by expanding support for healing programs such as family healing camps, themed trips, and sports activities. The number of beneficiaries will increase by 4,000, from 15,000 to 19,000. Additionally, 1.78 billion won has been allocated to provide work assistant services to single-person companies run by people with severe disabilities who do not have employees.

The budget to address public anxiety over illegal filming crimes and safety accidents in public restrooms is 6.275 billion won. The government plans to gradually expand the installation of permanent illegal filming detection systems and emergency bells in public restrooms nationwide by 2028.