24,330 Actual Residents Confirmed... Monthly Support via Local Gift Certificates, With Usage Zones and Limits Set by Business Type
Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province will provide a "basic income for rural and fishing communities" to all county residents, with the aim of responding to the population extinction crisis and revitalizing the local economy. The county will provide local gift certificates worth 150,000 won per month to 24,330 residents who meet the actual residency requirement.
The county announced on the 26th that it will begin sequentially paying out the basic income for rural and fishing communities from 8 a.m. on the 27th. The first round of payments will go to 24,330 residents who completed their applications by the end of last January and who meet the actual residency requirement.
The basic income for rural and fishing communities is a program that provides 150,000 won per month in "Cheongyang Love Gift Certificates" to all residents who are registered and actually reside in Cheongyang County.
The county plans to promote a minimum level of livelihood stability for residents and to create a virtuous cycle structure in which increased local consumption leads to higher sales for small business owners.
Those who moved into the county after October 20 last year will go through a three-month actual residency verification process and will receive a lump-sum payment of three months' worth in April.
Cheongyang Love Gift Certificates can be used anywhere in the county by residents of towns (eup), while residents of townships (myeon) can use them at affiliated merchants within their respective living areas.
However, for certain core business types such as hospitals, pharmacies, private educational institutes, opticians, and movie theaters, usage is allowed throughout the entire county regardless of area.
The gift certificates can be used at Cheongyang Love Gift Certificate mobile affiliate stores with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. In township areas, Hanaro Mart branches and gas stations, and in town and township areas, convenience stores are subject to a combined monthly usage limit of 50,000 won.
The usage period is 90 days for town (eup) residents and 180 days for township (myeon) residents.
The county stated, "We will establish a structure in which the paid basic income is recirculated into local commercial districts," adding, "We will make this a new turning point for rural areas facing the risk of extinction."
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