The South Korean government will begin distributing “Cash Handout Coupons (민생회복 소비쿠폰)” to all eligible citizens starting July 21, 2025, in a nationwide effort to stimulate domestic spending and support the local economy. This marks the first universal welfare policy under the Lee Jae-myung administration, offering up to 450,000 KRW (approx. USD 325) per person in targeted financial assistance.
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| Are Foreigners Eligible for the 450,000 KRW Korea's Cash Handout from July 21 |
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (행정안전부), all Korean citizens residing in the country as of June 18 will receive a base amount of 150,000 KRW. Vulnerable groups such as low-income households and single-parent families will receive 300,000 KRW, while basic livelihood support recipients will be granted 400,000 KRW. Residents in non-metropolitan areas will receive an extra 30,000 KRW, and those in rural or depopulated farming and fishing regions will receive an additional 50,000 KRW, bringing the total possible aid per individual to 450,000 KRW.
While foreigners are generally excluded, exceptions apply to those listed in a Korean household registry with at least one Korean national and those who are health insurance dependents or welfare recipients. Eligible groups also include F-5 permanent residents, F-6 marriage immigrants, and F-2-4 recognized refugees—many of whom were excluded from previous COVID-19 relief efforts.
Citizens who were abroad on June 18 but return to Korea by September 12 may also qualify after submitting verification through the immigration records and appeal process.
The coupons can be used from July 21 to November 30, and any unused balance will expire after the deadline. Usage is restricted to the applicant’s registered residential district, meaning Seoul residents can only spend coupons within Seoul, while residents of local cities and counties must use them in their own jurisdictions, such as Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province.
Spending is limited to small businesses with less than 3 billion KRW in annual revenue, including traditional markets, local grocery stores, restaurants, beauty salons, optical shops, and private academies. However, department stores and franchise headquarters are excluded. A special exemption applies to 125 rural locations where Hanaro Mart is the only retail outlet. Participating merchants will display an official “Coupon Accepted” (소비쿠폰 사용 가능) sticker to prevent confusion.
Applications can be made both online and offline. Applicants may choose to receive their coupons via credit card, debit card, mobile local currency app, or a prepaid card. Those born before December 31, 2006 must apply individually, while legal guardians can apply on behalf of minors. Minors who are household heads may apply themselves.
Online applications will be available through affiliated card issuers and regional currency apps. Offline applications can be completed at community service centers (읍면동 행정복지센터) or designated partner banks. Coupons will be automatically issued the day after application, and payments will be deducted from the coupon balance first when using the card.
During the first week of applications, a rotating schedule will apply based on the last digit of the applicant’s birth year—e.g., those born in years ending in 1 or 6 will apply on Monday, 2 or 7 on Tuesday, and so on. Offline applications are unavailable on weekends, but online applications are accepted seven days a week. The first application period runs from 9:00 AM on July 21 to 6:00 PM on September 12. Failure to apply during this window will result in forfeiture of the benefit.
Citizens who disagree with their eligibility or the amount received can file an appeal via the Government Civil Service Portal (국민신문고) or their local community center during the same period.
To avoid scams and phishing attempts, the government strongly warns against clicking suspicious links, emphasizing that neither government agencies nor card companies will send text messages with URLs.
A second round of relief will follow from September 22 to October 31, providing an additional 100,000 KRW per person to 90% of the population, excluding the top 10% income bracket. Eligibility will be determined based on national health insurance premiums and asset ownership, ensuring fairness between wage earners and self-employed residents. Final criteria for Round 2 will be released in September.
Vice Minister of the Interior Kim Min-jae, head of the interagency task force on cost-of-living support, stated at the briefing, “We hope these relief coupons will ease the financial burden for citizens and serve as a crucial boost for economic recovery. The government will work closely with local governments to ensure fast distribution and smooth use of the coupons.”
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| Vice Minister of the Interior Kim Min-jae |
Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
“외국인은 원칙적으로 지급 대상에서 제외된다. 다만, 내국인이 1명 이상 포함된 주민등록표에 함께 등재되어 있고, 국민과 동일하게 건강보험에 후납 형태로 가입했거나, 피부양자 또는 의료급여 수급자 자격이 있다면 지급 대상이 된다. 또한 외국인만으로 구성된 가구라도, 영주권자(F-5), 결혼이민자(F-6) 가운데 건강보험 가입자, 피부양자, 의료급여 수급자라면 동일한 조건으로 소비쿠폰을 신청할 수 있다. 이번 지급 대상에는 코로나19 당시 긴급재난지원금 대상에서 제외됐던 난민인정자(F-2-4)도 포함됐다.”
Key Vocabulary:
- 외국인 – foreigner
- 원칙적으로 – in principle
- 지급 대상 – eligible recipient
- 제외되다 – to be excluded
- 내국인 – Korean citizen
- 주민등록표 – resident registration record
- 등재되다 – to be listed, registered
- 건강보험 – health insurance
- 후납 – deferred payment, postpaid
- 피부양자 – dependent
- 의료급여 수급자 – medical aid recipient
- 구성되다 – to be composed of
- 영주권자 – permanent resident (F-5 visa holder)
- 결혼이민자 – marriage immigrant (F-6 visa holder)
- 동일한 조건 – same condition
- 소비쿠폰 – consumer coupon
- 신청하다 – to apply
- 긴급재난지원금 – emergency disaster relief payment
- 난민인정자 – recognized refugee (F-2-4 visa holder)
Translation:
"In principle, foreigners are excluded from receiving the payment. However, if they are listed on the same resident registration record as at least one Korean citizen and have joined the national health insurance system through deferred payments, are registered as dependents, or are medical aid recipients, they are eligible. Even households composed only of foreigners may apply for the consumer coupon under the same conditions, as long as they include a permanent resident (F-5) or marriage immigrant (F-6) who is a health insurance subscriber, dependent, or medical aid recipient. This time, the eligibility list also includes recognized refugees (F-2-4), who were excluded from emergency relief payments during the COVID-19 pandemic."
References: hani news, korea times, koreanherald, mbc news