The city of Naju in South Jeolla Province will distribute 200,000 won ($146) per person in livelihood recovery payments to help residents cope with rising prices and an economic slowdown.
Naju city announced Thursday that it had secured the necessary budget through a second supplementary budget and would begin distributing the payments to about 117,000 residents starting Sept. 14.
Eligibility extends to anyone registered as a resident of Naju from July 1, 2026, through the date of application. Marriage migrants and permanent residents are also included.
Each recipient will receive 200,000 won, payable either as a prepaid card or as a mobile Naju Love gift voucher (CHAK). Applications will be accepted from Sept. 14 through Oct. 16.
Residents can apply online or in person at their local community administrative welfare center. A home-visit application service will also be available for those with mobility difficulties.
To ease congestion during the first week, a staggered system based on the last digit of applicants' birth year will be in effect from Sept. 14 through Sept. 18. Starting Sept. 21, anyone may apply regardless of birth year.
The payments can be spent at credit card merchants with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, as well as at Naju Love gift voucher-affiliated stores. Hanaro Mart outlets and public local food direct markets in rural township areas have also been included to make the payments more accessible to residents outside the city center.
The payments must be used by Nov. 30. Any unused balance will expire after that date.
The city said it hopes the payments will not only ease the financial burden on residents but also boost local consumption and help small business owners, self-employed workers and neighborhood merchants recover their sales.
"The livelihood recovery payment is a measure designed to ease the burden on residents in difficult economic conditions and inject vitality into the local economy," Naju Mayor Yun Byeong-tae said. "I hope everyone checks the application period and method in advance so that no one misses out, and joins us in helping the local economy recover."
bbo@heraldcorp.com
