Ahead of Chuseok, local governments hand out up to 500,000 won per person regardless of income or age

With Chuseok approaching, a number of local governments are moving to distribute "livelihood support payments" to residents. The payments aim to ease the financial burden on households amid high energy prices and a slowing economy, and to stimulate local economies. Support levels and eligibility conditions vary widely, ranging from 100,000 won ($71) to 500,000 won per person.

As of Thursday, the local governments with the largest confirmed payouts are Uiryeong-gun in South Gyeongsang Province and Hampyeong-gun in South Jeolla Province, each offering 500,000 won per person.

Hampyeong-gun plans to distribute 500,000 won per person to all roughly 29,000 residents in the form of prepaid cards starting Oct. 7. The county has allocated 15.11 billion won in a supplementary budget to fund the program.

Uiryeong-gun has also decided to pay 500,000 won per person to all residents as a livelihood stabilization grant and is working through the follow-up procedures.

Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province will begin accepting applications for its "Tongyeong-style livelihood recovery payment" of 350,000 won per person starting Sunday. The city had originally sought to pay 330,000 won per person in June last year, but the plan fell through amid controversy during the local election period. The initiative was revived under the ninth directly elected administration, and the city recently finalized the amount at 350,000 won per person after consultations with the city council.

Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, plans to distribute a livelihood support payment of 100,000 won per person before Chuseok.

In South Jeolla Province and Gwangju, eight of the 27 cities, counties and districts are considering distributing livelihood support payments before the Chuseok holiday. Of these, five — including Hampyeong-gun — plan to make the payments before Chuseok.

Goheung-gun and Jangheung-gun will each distribute 300,000 won per resident in local gift certificates, while Naju plans to give 200,000 won per person in Naju Love gift certificates. Yeongam-gun will also provide 100,000 won per person before Chuseok.

In North Jeolla Province, Buan-gun, Gochang-gun and Wanju-gun have each decided to distribute 300,000 won per resident before Chuseok in the form of "resident vitality support payments" redeemable within their respective counties.

In North Gyeongsang Province, Uljin-gun plans to provide all residents with 300,000 won per person on an Uljin Love Card before Chuseok. The 14.2 billion won needed will be covered by additional revenue from increased transportation grants and higher local income tax receipts.

Mungyeong will also distribute 250,000 won per resident as a high energy price relief payment in prepaid card form. The cards can be used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less within the city through the end of the year, and can be used at gas stations regardless of sales volume. A total of 16.8 billion won has been allocated for the program.

In North Chungcheong Province, Yeongdong-gun is distributing a second round of livelihood stabilization payments of 300,000 won per resident in local gift certificates. Applications have been accepted since Monday, with payments to be distributed on a rolling basis from Sept. 1.

Sokcho in Gangwon Province has been accepting applications for a 200,000 won per person livelihood recovery payment since July 20, with no income restrictions.