In 2025, South Korea will distribute a universal relief fund to all citizens. Learn who qualifies, how much they'll receive, and how the system works.
💡 What Is the “Universal Relief Fund”?
In 2025, the South Korean government is rolling out a Universal Relief Fund — a one-time cash-equivalent payment to all citizens.
This initiative aims to ease the burden of rising living costs and stimulate domestic consumption amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
The Korean term for this is 전국민 민생지원금 (Jeon-guk-min Min-saeng Ji-won-geum), which literally means “livelihood support for all citizens.”
👥 Who Is Eligible?
✅ Every South Korean citizen is eligible — regardless of income or occupation.
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This includes children, adults, and seniors.
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Foreign residents (even with long-term visas) are not included.
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Korean nationals living abroad may also qualify, depending on residence records.
💰 How Much Will Each Person Receive?
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Each person will receive ₩250,000 KRW (approximately $180 USD).
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For example, a family of four would receive ₩1,000,000 KRW in total.
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Payments are equal for everyone, regardless of income level.
💬 This is not a welfare program, but a broad economic stimulus similar to the U.S. “stimulus checks” distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
🧾 How Will It Be Distributed?
✅ Payment Method:
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Issued as prepaid cards, regional gift certificates, or digital vouchers
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Can be used only within local businesses or specific regions, to boost local economies
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Must be used within a limited period (typically 3–6 months)
✅ How to Apply:
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Online via government platforms like Gov.kr or Minwon24
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Offline at local community centers (주민센터)
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Applications will likely follow a “weekday-by-birth-year” schedule, a common method in Korea
🔍 Why Is Korea Giving Out This Money?
🎯 Government Objectives:
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Help ordinary citizens cope with inflation and household costs
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Encourage spending and boost the struggling domestic market
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Strengthen small businesses through region-specific usage restrictions
🇺🇸 For U.S. readers:
Think of this as a hybrid between stimulus checks and local-use vouchers.
Korea emphasizes speed and targeted local impact rather than direct deposit of cash alone.
📌 Quick Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Target | All Korean citizens |
| Amount | ₩250,000 per person |
| Method | Gift card, voucher, or digital |
| Application | Online & offline |
| Goal | Stabilize living costs, boost local economy |
💬 Why This Matters Culturally
In Korea, the idea of collective responsibility and national solidarity often plays a strong role.
Unlike the U.S., where aid may be more individually framed, Korean relief policies often highlight social unity and shared resilience.
Distributing support to “all citizens equally” carries both economic and symbolic weight.