Gangnam-gu Raises Merit Allowance for Those Aged 90 and Above to Highest Level in Seoul

Monthly Allowance Raised from 100,000 to 150,000 Won... Annual Total Now 2.05 Million Won
New Allowance Introduced for Spouses of War Veterans

Starting January 1, Gangnam-gu in Seoul (headed by Mayor Cho Sungmyung) will expand support for elderly national merit recipients and introduce a new allowance for spouses of war veterans. Gangnam-gu announced that the merit allowance for recipients aged 90 and above will be increased to 150,000 won per month, and a new welfare allowance of 100,000 won per month will be provided to spouses of war veterans.

Welfare Allowance for Spouses of War Veterans. Provided by Gangnam District.

As of the end of December last year, there were 4,838 recipients of the Gangnam-gu merit allowance. Among them, approximately 560 individuals aged 90 and above will receive the increased support starting this year. Previously, those aged 90 and above received 100,000 won per month (1.2 million won annually), plus 150,000 won in holiday and Memorial Day consolation payments and 100,000 won in birthday congratulations, totaling 1.45 million won per year. From this year, the monthly allowance will rise to 150,000 won, bringing the annual total to 2.05 million won. This is the highest level of support among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

Unlike other national merit recipients, the legal qualifications for war veterans do not transfer to their surviving family members, which meant that when a war veteran passed away, their spouse was not eligible to receive the merit allowance. To address this gap, the district established a basis for providing a welfare allowance to spouses of war veterans. In addition, Gangnam-gu has removed the restriction on receiving both the national bereavement payment and the district’s condolence payment, allowing recipients and their families to receive both benefits and enhancing recognition for merit recipients and their bereaved families.

Cho Sungmyung, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, "This policy improvement is a measure to reduce the economic hardship and blind spots faced by merit recipients and their families who have sacrificed for the country," adding, "We will continue to do our best to foster a culture of respect for merit families."