Wando-gun Promotes Various Support Policies Amid Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic

Emergency Living Expenses, Public Utility Fees for Small Business Owners, and Emergency Management Stabilization Funds for Fishermen Support

Wando-gun Office Building Exterior (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 16th that it has established various support policies for residents experiencing economic difficulties due to COVID-19.

First, temporary living expenses will be paid differentially to legally low-income groups, including basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups (based on eligibility as of March 2020).

Additionally, as of March 29, 2020, households registered as residents of Wando-gun with a median income of 100% or less (based on health insurance premiums) will receive the "Jeonnam-type COVID-19 Emergency Living Expenses." A total of 2,139 children under the age of 7 who are eligible for child allowance will receive 400,000 KRW each to alleviate the economic burden on child-rearing households.

The temporary living expenses for low-income groups, Jeonnam-type COVID-19 emergency living expenses, and temporary child-rearing support funds will be paid in Wando Love Gift Certificates to revitalize the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

For agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries, projects such as loans from the Jeollanam-do Rural Development Fund, disaster countermeasure management funds for farmers affected by COVID-19, temporary reductions in agricultural machinery rental fees, emergency management stabilization funds for fishermen, and operating funds support for livestock product processing companies (beef and pork meat packaging businesses) will be promoted.

Support measures for small business owners have also been prepared. For workplaces with fewer than five regular employees (except for mining, manufacturing, construction, and transportation industries, where the limit is fewer than 10 employees), 300,000 KRW in public utility fees (paid in Wando Love Gift Certificates) will be supported in June. Additionally, loans up to 30 million KRW per company will be provided, along with a 1.6% guarantee fee and 3% annual interest support on the loans.

For tenants suffering business losses due to COVID-19, "Good Landlords" who reduce rent will receive a property tax reduction in July equal to the rent reduction rate. Property tax reductions will also be provided to companies facing difficulties due to disruptions in exports to China and supply of imported parts.

For workplaces with fewer than 100 employees that have had unpaid leave for five or more days since the COVID-19 "serious" stage (since February 23), employed workers enrolled in employment insurance who are subject to unpaid leave will receive 25,000 KRW per day, up to 500,000 KRW per month. Special-type workers and freelancers who have experienced a 20% or more income decrease will receive up to 500,000 KRW per month.

In addition, special credit-guaranteed loans from the Tourism Promotion Development Fund will be supported, and 137 taxi drivers will receive 500,000 KRW each in Wando Love Gift Certificates in May.

The county has decided to reduce water and sewage usage fees by 50% for all residents for the billing period from April to June 2020 to stabilize residents' livelihoods.

Shin Woo-cheol, Wando-gun governor, said, "As all residents are suffering economically and psychologically due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the county has prepared support policies to provide some help to residents." He urged all staff to "actively promote the policies so that no residents are restricted due to lack of information and to respond kindly and thoroughly to residents' inquiries."

For detailed information or inquiries about Wando-gun's COVID-19 response support policies, please contact the project implementation departments or the town and township offices.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.