Government accelerates W16.6tr in chuseok relief spending

The government is stepping up fiscal spending on livelihood support, vulnerable-household assistance, and disaster and safety programs ahead of the chuseok holiday. Spending on livelihood and vulnerable-household support programs reached 16.58 trillion won ($12.1 billion) by the end of August, and the government plans to accelerate disbursements for holiday price-relief measures — including discounts on agricultural and livestock products — to coincide with peak chuseok demand.

Vice Minister of Planning and Budget Jo Yong-beom convened the 14th Joint Ministerial Fiscal Execution Review Meeting at Government Complex Sejong on Thursday to assess progress, the Ministry of Planning and Budget said.

The government is pursuing measures across four areas — stabilizing prices of essential goods, easing household financial burdens, boosting domestic demand, and ensuring public safety — under its "Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Plan" announced Sept. 1.

Livelihood stabilization and vulnerable-household support programs total 21.29 trillion won, of which 16.58 trillion won, or 77.9 percent, had been spent by the end of August. By subcategory, spending on basic living support for vulnerable households reached 7.56 trillion won (83.8 percent), support for small businesses and traditional markets 4.67 trillion won (80.4 percent), and regional economic revitalization 2.57 trillion won (76.7 percent).

In the holiday price-relief category, 1.77 trillion won, or 57.0 percent, of the 3.11 trillion won budget had been disbursed. That figure includes spending on agricultural and livestock product discounts (46.6 percent) and agri-food vouchers (91.1 percent). The government plans to roll out the agricultural and livestock discount program in full as peak chuseok shopping demand arrives.

Within the small business and traditional market support category, execution rates stood at 74.9 percent for small-business loans and 80.7 percent for Onuri gift certificates. In the vulnerable-household living support category, single-parent family child-rearing allowances reached 85.1 percent and energy vouchers 88.2 percent. For regional economic revitalization, local love gift certificates and public transit fare rebates were disbursed at rates of 92.6 percent and 64.8 percent, respectively.

Disaster and safety support programs total 8.48 trillion won, with 6.06 trillion won, or 71.4 percent, spent by the end of August. The government aims to reach a 97.5 percent execution rate by year-end.

By subcategory, natural disaster programs reached 3.85 trillion won (78.2 percent) and social disaster and safety programs 2.21 trillion won (62.0 percent). Execution rates for key projects included 71.1 percent for national river maintenance, 55.5 percent for coastal improvement, 85.7 percent for high-speed rail safety and facility upgrades, and 75.1 percent for forest helicopter procurement and operations.

The government also reviewed field management plans for major disaster and safety projects to prepare for autumn typhoons and wildfires and to ensure traffic and public safety during the holiday travel period, when large-scale population movement is expected.

The government plans to clear execution bottlenecks and monitor spending progress and on-site response systems around the chuseok period, focusing on safety projects closely tied to daily life — including national river maintenance, port and coastal improvements, and railway upkeep.

"Chuseok is a period when peak seasonal demand and mass population movement converge, making careful management essential so that people can actually feel the impact of fiscal programs in their daily lives," Jo said. "We ask each ministry to diligently monitor execution progress and address on-the-ground obstacles to the end — ensuring that support for vulnerable groups and household burden-relief programs reach those who truly need them on time, and that disaster and safety programs leave no gaps in public safety during the holiday."