Governor Kim Jin-tae Launches "Provincial Administration in Empathy with Residents" with Basic Pension Outreach Service

Governor Kim Jin-tae Addresses Welfare Gaps
Explains Basic Pension System to Seniors
Largest Project with Nearly 1 Trillion Won Invested
Visits High-Impact Policy Site in the Province

On January 5 at 2:30 p.m., Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, visited a senior workplace located near the underground shopping mall in Chuncheon, a popular spot among elderly residents. This visit marked the launch of the province's 2026 policy direction, "Provincial Administration in Empathy with Residents," with the first initiative being the in-person delivery of the basic pension service to seniors.

Exterior view of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government

The basic pension is a system provided to seniors aged 65 or older whose income and assets fall below a certain threshold. It is designed so that approximately 70% of the senior population is eligible to receive benefits. The threshold is adjusted annually based on a comprehensive review of elderly households' income, assets, and living conditions, which also determines the eligibility and payment amounts.

As of 2026, individuals living alone with an income of up to 2.47 million won and couples with a combined income of up to 3.952 million won will be eligible to receive a maximum of 349,000 won per person or up to 559,000 won per couple.

However, since the basic pension operates on an application-based system, there are cases where seniors who are eligible do not receive the benefit because they are unaware of the program or have mobility issues, resulting in gaps in coverage.

Currently, the basic pension coverage rate among seniors aged 65 or older in the province is 66.96%. Since 2024, the provincial government has been operating an outreach service in partnership with the National Pension Service to visit eligible seniors, proactively identify potential beneficiaries, and provide guidance on the application process.

Upon arriving at the site, Governor Kim, together with representatives from the National Pension Service, greeted the seniors for the New Year and explained the basic pension system in a relaxed atmosphere, directly checking their eligibility and the payment amounts they could receive.

Governor Kim Jin-tae stated, "There are gaps in the basic pension application process, which is why I have come to the site myself." He added, "The basic pension is the province's largest project, with about 1 trillion won allocated out of a total budget exceeding 8 trillion won." He further emphasized, "We will ensure that all seniors can receive these benefits fairly and attentively."