Gov't begins handing out cash vouchers to all South Koreans

A government-issued card for a cash handout is seen in Seoul on July 21 2025 Yonhap — An official prepares for cash handouts at a district office in Seoul on July 21, 2025. Yonhap

SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Starting Monday, all South Koreans are entitled to receive a handout ranging from 150,000 won to 550,000 won (US$108–$395), depending on their income brackets.

Each eligible person can apply by Sept. 12 to receive 150,000 won in the form of cash vouchers, credit card points, or other gift options valid at local stores for three months, followed by an additional 100,000 won this fall, though the top 10 percent of earners will be excluded from the second round of payments.

Additional support ranging from 30,000 won to 300,000 won may be provided to the underprivileged, the socially vulnerable, single-parent households and those living in certain rural areas, making some recipients eligible for up to 550,000 won in total.

The vouchers can be used until Nov. 30 at most small neighborhood businesses such as local supermarkets, restaurants, convenience stores, and cafés, but they cannot be used at department stores, large supermarket chains, or other chain stores.

Earlier President Lee Jae-myung said the handouts are part of efforts to boost consumption and revive the economy deteriorated in the wake of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law debacle last year. But some have criticized the universal, one-off payment as a politically motivated populist move, coming just shortly after Lee took office early last month.

Kim Hee-su khs@ajunews.com