The South Korean government announced that it will begin distributing a second round of consumer vouchers worth 100,000 won ($72) per person starting Sept. 22. Around 90 percent of citizens, including eligible foreign residents, will receive the payments as part of efforts to stimulate domestic spending and support economic recovery.
The new handouts follow the first round launched in July, which offered 150,000 won to all citizens. For the second phase, eligibility will be determined based on household registration as of June 18. Wealthier households with a property tax base of 1.2 billion won or more, or financial income exceeding 20 million won, will be excluded.
Single-person households with annual income under 75 million won and multi-earner households under adjusted thresholds will qualify. The program also covers long-term foreign residents, including those on permanent residency, spousal visas, or refugee status, provided they are registered under national health insurance or medical aid. Roughly 927,000 households, or 2.48 million foreign residents, are expected to benefit.
Applications will be accepted between Sept. 22 and Oct. 31. Eligible recipients can apply through card companies, the National Health Insurance Service, or local government offices. Vouchers will be distributed via credit or debit card reimbursements, local gift certificates, or prepaid cards, and must be used by Nov. 30 at small businesses and local shops.
Vice Minister of the Interior Ministry Kim Min-jae said the government expects the second cash voucher rollout to reinforce the boost in consumer spending already seen in the first round. “We hope the momentum for domestic demand recovery will be further expanded through the second distribution,” he noted.
