"200 Million Won for a Family of Four"... This Area to Provide 500,000 Won per Person in Livelihood Support Funds Starting January 26

Yeongdong County to Issue 500,000 Won Prepaid Livelihood Support Cards
Usable Until June This Year... Unused Balance Will Expire After Deadline

As several basic local governments in North Chungcheong Province that were excluded from the government’s pilot project for basic income in rural areas are rushing to introduce “livelihood support funds,” Yeongdong County has announced that it will provide livelihood stabilization support funds to all residents to revitalize the local economy and stabilize residents’ lives.

Geumgang Dullegil, Yeongdong County. Yeongdong County Office

Yeongdong County to Issue 500,000 Won Prepaid Cards per Person Starting January 26

According to Yeongdong County on January 20, the county will accept applications for livelihood stabilization support funds from January 26 to February 27. Eligible recipients are residents who have been registered in Yeongdong County since January 1 of this year, including marriage immigrants and permanent residents.

Applications can be submitted at the local township or town offices. After identity verification, applicants will immediately receive a prepaid card loaded with 500,000 won. The card can be used from the date of issuance until June 30.

However, to support small business owners, the card cannot be used at businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or more, or at entertainment and gambling establishments, or for paying utility bills. In township areas with fewer places to spend, it can also be used at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart.

To reduce congestion in the initial application period, a day-of-the-week system will be applied during the first week, based on the last digit of the head of household’s birth year. For more details, residents can contact the Economic Affairs Division of Yeongdong County Office.

An official from Yeongdong County stated, “To avoid congestion during the first week of applications, we will implement a day-of-the-week system based on the last digit of the head of household’s birth year,” and added, “For any questions, please contact the Economic Affairs Division at the county office.”

North Chungcheong Local Governments Rush to Provide ‘Livelihood Support Funds’... Criticism Arises Over ‘Cash Handouts’ Ahead of Local Elections

In North Chungcheong Province, after Okcheon County was selected as a pilot area for rural basic income and decided to provide all residents with 150,000 won in local currency per month from 2026 to 2027, plans to provide livelihood support funds have spread like dominoes. As the impact of introducing basic income spreads, especially in rural areas suffering from population decline, a series of moves have emerged either to counter this trend or to appease local sentiment.

There is criticism that this is a populist budget execution aimed at this year’s local elections. While 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 local government’s own budget. Local governments with a fiscal independence ratio of less than 10% may face financial pressure as they secure up to 20 billion won for livelihood support funds.