'600,000 Won per Person' Livelihood Support Fund to Be Distributed... 'This Area' to Pay Out Next Year

Choi Jaehyung Considers "Sense of Deprivation" After Basic Income Exclusion
Two Installments of 300,000 Won Each via Prepaid Card
"Significant Impact on Household Finances and Local Businesses"

Local governments in Chungbuk Province that were excluded from the government's pilot project for rural basic income are now rushing to introduce their own "livelihood support fund" initiatives. Following Goesan County and Yeongdong County, Boeun County has decided to provide 600,000 KRW per person to all residents in the first half of next year, signaling the start of a competitive race among basic local governments in Chungbuk to distribute livelihood support funds.

This series of moves is interpreted as a response to the growing influence of basic income programs in rural areas experiencing severe population decline, either as a countermeasure or to appease local sentiment. Some have pointed out that these actions may be populist budget expenditures aimed at next year’s local elections.

Daecheong Lake, Hoenam-myeon, Boeun-gun, Chungbuk Province. Boeun County Office

"960 Billion KRW Secured in Integrated Fiscal Stabilization Fund... To Be Paid Twice, During Lunar New Year and Family Month"

On December 10, Choi Jaehyung, Governor of Boeun County, announced at a press conference, "We plan to provide all residents with 300,000 KRW each, for a total of 600,000 KRW in livelihood stabilization support, in two installments next year."

He explained, "We took into account the sense of deprivation among residents, given that neighboring Okcheon County residents will receive 150,000 KRW per month in rural basic income for two years." This measure aims to address the relatively negative local sentiment, as Okcheon County-the only pilot area in Chungbuk-will distribute 150,000 KRW in local currency to all residents every month for two years starting next year.

Boeun County plans to distribute the first installment around Lunar New Year and the second during Family Month in May. Regarding the decision to split the payments, the county explained, "We are using the resident’s address as of the payment date as the eligibility criterion to prevent fraudulent claims, such as false residency registrations, and to maintain the resident population." The governor added, "Although the entire amount is funded by the county, we have already secured 96 billion KRW in the Integrated Fiscal Stabilization Fund, so there will be no difficulty in financing." Considering Boeun County’s population of about 31,000, including registered foreign nationals, the required budget is estimated at 18.8 billion KRW.

The county will provide the livelihood stabilization support as a prepaid card, rather than as local currency (Gyeolchobo-eun Card). A county official stated, "By setting the usage period for the prepaid card until September next year and applying over 10% cashback to the Gyeolchobo-eun Card, the impact on household finances and local businesses will be even greater."

Chungbuk Local Governments Left Out of Rural Basic Income Race to Offer Livelihood Support Funds

In Chungbuk Province, Okcheon County has been selected as a pilot area for the rural basic income program, planning to provide all residents with 150,000 KRW in local currency per month from 2026 to 2027. Following this, plans to distribute livelihood support funds are spreading like a domino effect. The Asia Business Daily DB · ChatGPT

In Chungbuk Province, after Okcheon County was selected as a pilot area for the rural basic income program and decided to provide all residents with 150,000 KRW in local currency per month from 2026 to 2027, plans to distribute livelihood support funds have spread like a domino effect.

Starting with Goesan County’s announcement on December 8 to provide 500,000 KRW per person in livelihood support funds, Yeongdong County is also considering a 500,000 KRW payment and has pre-announced legislation for the "Livelihood Economic Revitalization Support Ordinance." Jecheon City and Danyang County are reportedly planning to provide 200,000 KRW per person.

The rural basic income program is a national policy initiative to address the risk of rural depopulation, with pilot projects set to be implemented in ten regions nationwide next year and the following year. However, as the pilot program’s timeline coincides with the year of local elections, cash-based welfare is spreading to neighboring areas.

Criticism of "Cash Handouts Aimed at Local Elections"... Concerns Over Worsening Finances

Meanwhile, there is criticism that these measures are populist budget expenditures targeting next year’s local elections. While the rural basic income is funded by 40% from the central government, 30% from the provincial government, and 30% from the county, the livelihood support funds must be fully financed by the respective local governments. There is concern that local governments with a fiscal independence ratio of less than 10% could face financial strain in securing up to 20 billion KRW for livelihood support funds.

Lee Sunyoung, Secretary General of the Chungbuk Participatory Autonomy Citizens’ Network, commented, "While Okcheon County achieved results by consistently preparing for the rural basic income competition, the situation is different for other local governments. Although these policies are presented as measures to stabilize livelihoods and boost the economy, they lack consistency, and the surge in 'cash handouts' ahead of the elections is a serious problem."