![A citizen refuels a vehicle at a gas station in Seoul on April 30. [Photo=Yonhap News]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/05/08/20260508210432478610.jpg)
A citizen refuels a vehicle at a gas station in Seoul on April 30. [Photo=Yonhap News]
More than 2.94 million people applied for the first round of the high oil price relief payments, with total disbursements amounting to 1.67 trillion won.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on May 8 that as of 6 p.m. that day, 2,944,073 individuals had applied for the relief payments nationwide.
The highest application rate was in Jeollanam-do at 93.6%, followed by Seoul (92.9%), Jeju (92.9%), and Busan (92.7%). Most regions recorded application rates above 90%, but Gyeongsangnam-do (87.8%), Gangwon (89.3%), and Gyeonggi (89.6%) fell below that threshold. Overall, 91.2% of the eligible 3,227,785 individuals applied for the support.
The first round of relief payments targeted vulnerable groups, including basic livelihood recipients, those in the second-lowest income bracket, and single-parent families. Basic livelihood recipients received 550,000 won each, while those in the second-lowest income bracket and single-parent families received 450,000 won each. Additionally, residents of non-capital areas or designated population decline regions received an extra 50,000 won each.
The government plans to resume payments for those who did not apply during the first round starting May 18, when the second round of payments begins.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on May 8 that as of 6 p.m. that day, 2,944,073 individuals had applied for the relief payments nationwide.
The highest application rate was in Jeollanam-do at 93.6%, followed by Seoul (92.9%), Jeju (92.9%), and Busan (92.7%). Most regions recorded application rates above 90%, but Gyeongsangnam-do (87.8%), Gangwon (89.3%), and Gyeonggi (89.6%) fell below that threshold. Overall, 91.2% of the eligible 3,227,785 individuals applied for the support.
The first round of relief payments targeted vulnerable groups, including basic livelihood recipients, those in the second-lowest income bracket, and single-parent families. Basic livelihood recipients received 550,000 won each, while those in the second-lowest income bracket and single-parent families received 450,000 won each. Additionally, residents of non-capital areas or designated population decline regions received an extra 50,000 won each.
The government plans to resume payments for those who did not apply during the first round starting May 18, when the second round of payments begins.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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