Strengthening Tangible Benefits Through Resident-Centered Policies
Introducing Diverse Initiatives for Stability and Cultural Development
Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang Province announced on February 3 that, to mark the New Year 2026, it will introduce or expand a variety of new systems and policies across all sectors-including agriculture, welfare, healthcare, education, and safety-to improve residents' quality of life and ensure stability in daily living.
The newly implemented measures focus on policies closely related to residents' daily lives, aiming to strengthen tangible benefits and ensure that changes can be directly felt in everyday routines.
◆ Agriculture
To ensure stable income for farmers and fishers and revitalize the local rural economy, the annual payment for the Farmer and Fisherman Allowance will be increased starting this year. Single-member farm households will receive 600,000 won per year, while two-member farm households will receive 700,000 won per year.
The support limit for housing repair costs for returnees to farming, rural, and hometown areas will be expanded to 7 million won per household to help facilitate stable settlement in the region.
Additionally, a comprehensive survey will be conducted on small-scale (3 hectares or less) agricultural promotion areas. Areas with low conservation value as farmland will be released from designation, thereby promoting regional development and revitalizing the local economy.
◆ Welfare and Healthcare
The payment for veterans' honorary allowances will be increased, with veterans of participation receiving 280,000 won per month and those with special missions receiving 100,000 won per month.
Furthermore, new programs will be introduced to support food expenses for senior centers and to provide group enrollment in fire and liability insurance for these centers, simultaneously enhancing welfare and safety for the elderly. The newly established Disabled Persons Center will integrate the management of organizations and facilities for people with disabilities, offering more systematic welfare services.
In addition, the eligibility criteria for knee joint replacement surgery support for seniors will eliminate income requirements and expand to all county residents aged 60 and above, effectively reducing the medical burden for the elderly. New otolaryngology (ENT) diagnostic equipment will also be introduced to further protect residents' health.
◆ Education, Children, and Youth
Sancheong County will launch a new program to subsidize nighttime taxi fares for high school students, supporting safe commutes home for students living in areas with limited public transportation.
The county will operate the "Sancheong Lifelong Learning College," introducing three new courses-including Korean language education in partnership with nearby universities, as well as AI and digital lifelong learning. The program aims to create a virtuous cycle from learning opportunities to job connections.
In addition to operating a lifelong learning center in the southern region, a new lifelong learning center in the northern region is scheduled for completion by the end of May 2026. These centers will serve as hubs for a variety of customized educational programs.
Public indoor play facilities will be established in Shinan-myeon (scheduled for February 2026) and Sancheong-eup (scheduled for July 2026) in stages, improving play and care environments for children and reducing the childcare burden for guardians. This will contribute to making Sancheong a better place to raise children.
Policies to support youth settlement will also be strengthened. The "Sanen Cheong Youth Base Camp" will provide public youth housing and community spaces for young people without homes, serving as a hub for youth activities that support settlement, exchange, and communication in the region.
The eligibility for the Youth Culture and Arts Pass will be expanded from age 19 to 20, and the support amount will be increased from 150,000 won to 200,000 won. Additionally, the Culture Nuri Card subsidy will be raised from 140,000 won to 150,000 won, broadening opportunities for cultural enjoyment.
◆ Strengthening Resident Safety and Improving Civil and Administrative Services
The resident safety insurance program will expand its coverage from existing Sancheong residents and foreigners to include foreign nationals with registered addresses. The number of covered items will also increase from 18 to 22, including new coverage for sexual violence victims, personal mobility device accidents, burn surgery costs, and cold-related illness diagnoses, thereby further strengthening the daily safety net for residents against various accidents and disasters.
At the same time, civil and administrative services will be improved to enhance resident convenience. The county will implement an advance reservation system for complex civil consultations and offer customized shared property consultation services, improving accessibility and efficiency in civil affairs and strengthening resident-centered administrative services.
An official from Sancheong County stated, "The changes in systems and policies for 2026 focus on tangible changes that residents can experience in their daily lives," adding, "We will continue to identify and implement effective policies to improve the quality of life for our residents."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
