Gangwon Announces 45 Resident-Focused Measures Across 5 Sectors
Childcare Allowance Extended to Age 7, Farmland Regulations Lifted
New Certification for Solo Travelers and Other Tangible Policy Changes
Starting from the new year of 2026 (Byeongo Year), Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province will significantly overhaul its welfare, economic, and administrative systems to be more resident-friendly.
On December 30, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced the "2026 Changes in Projects and Systems," outlining changes in five key areas closely related to residents' daily lives, totaling 45 projects. The reform plan focuses on policy changes that residents can directly experience in their daily lives, centering on 45 projects and systems across five sectors: jobs & economy, welfare & health, agriculture, livestock & fisheries, forestry & environment, and administration & safety.
◆ Jobs & Economy: Revitalizing Defense and Tourism Industries (5 projects)
By leveraging the Gangwon Defense Venture Center, the province will strengthen customized support for companies entering the defense industry, including discovering new companies, organizing exhibitions and product evaluations, and supporting advanced technology development.
A new certification system will be introduced for businesses welcoming solo travelers, implementing policies that respond to changing tourism trends.
◆ Welfare & Health: Expanding Welfare Across Life Stages (8 projects)
The basic childcare allowance will be extended from the current age limit of 6 to 7, and the child allowance will be extended from 8 to 9, easing the childcare burden on families.
An integrated care system linking medical, nursing, and caregiving services will be fully implemented, and the payment of basic pensions and disability pensions will be expanded.
The Youth Culture and Arts Pass will increase from 150,000 won to 200,000 won, and the Integrated Culture Voucher (Culture Nuri Card) will increase from 140,000 won to 150,000 won, further enhancing cultural accessibility.
◆ Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries: Strengthening Farmer Welfare and Disease Control (15 projects)
The minimum area requirement of 30,000 square meters for designating Rural Vitality Promotion Zones under the Gangwon Special Act will be abolished, enabling a wider range of development plans. In addition, the system will be improved to allow applications for the Rural Development Fund to be submitted based on the applicant's address, not just the business location.
Welfare policies for farmers will be expanded, including special health screenings for female farmers (from ages 51-80 to up to 90) and support for labor-saving equipment (with the addition of joint protectors).
Field-oriented safety policies will be implemented, such as strengthening livestock disease prevention and quarantine management, and introducing the immediate removal of illegal fishing gear.
◆ Forestry & Environment: Improving Living Environment and Disaster Response (7 projects)
The obligation to participate in "village community/association activities" when applying for forestry direct payments, which was a significant burden, will be eliminated. Restaurants without mandatory fine dust and odor prevention facilities will be eligible for installation support up to 40 million won per establishment.
The requirement for asbestos inspections in community child centers will be expanded from those over 500 square meters to all centers, and the indoor air quality standard (ultrafine dust) for multi-use facilities will be tightened from 50 micrograms per cubic meter to 40 micrograms per cubic meter. These improvements directly impact residents' health and environmental systems.
Forest disaster response teams will be established by integrating on-site response personnel for wildfires, landslides, and forest pests, who previously operated only during vulnerable periods, thereby building a proactive response system for forest disasters such as wildfires.
◆ Administration & Safety: Expansion of 'Gangwon Digital Administrative Services' (10 projects)
By utilizing public MyData, the Gangwon Digital Administrative Service (Gangwon Benefit Easy), which recommends benefits available to residents, will expand its services from 10 to 15. Application and verification procedures for various support programs will also become more convenient.
The mandatory management system for information and communication facilities in buildings above a certain size will be phased in, enhancing safety and reliability through regular inspections and maintenance.
Through improvements that include wildfire suppression within the scope of fire response duties for firefighters, disaster response capabilities for large-scale wildfires and other emergencies will be further strengthened.
Additionally, safety systems closely related to daily life will be significantly enhanced, including expanded fire safety facility requirements for underground parking lots, strengthened safety standards for lithium battery factories, and stricter fire safety management standards for road tunnels.
Detailed information on the "2026 Changes in Projects and Systems" can be found on the province's official website (Notices section). Booklets will also be distributed to city, county, and township community centers so that all residents can easily access and utilize the information.
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