Gwangju City Prepares 'Customized Support Measures' for Small Business Owners and Future Generations

9th Livelihood Stabilization Measures Announced... Rapid Payment Before Chuseok

On the afternoon of the 15th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, held an online press conference in the city hall briefing room and announced the '9th Livelihood Stability Measures' to overcome COVID-19. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, said on the 15th, "As 'intensive social distancing' is implemented, difficulties in the local economy and people's livelihoods are intensifying," adding, "Especially small business owners and micro-entrepreneurs are suffering so severely that their survival is threatened, and the local economy has fallen into a slump."

On the same day, Mayor Lee announced the 9th Livelihood Stabilization Measures to Protect the Local Economy from COVID-19, targeting mainly small business owners and future generations, in connection with the government's comprehensive emergency livelihood and economic support measures announced on the 10th.

Gwangju City will first provide 1 million KRW each to 18 types of facilities subject to closure that were unable to operate from August 27 due to the implementation of quasi-level 3 social distancing.

While the government announced on the 10th that it would provide 1 million KRW each to 10 types of facilities designated as closure facilities, the city will additionally support 6 types of closure facilities it designated (game rooms, arcades, performance venues such as musicals and plays, indoor sports facilities, youth training centers, bathhouses and saunas, multi-rooms and DVD rooms) and also provide 1 million KRW each to entertainment pubs and colatecs excluded from government support.

In addition, to support middle, high school, and university students who are experiencing difficulties in their studies due to non-face-to-face remote classes caused by COVID-19, the city will provide a 'Cheer Up Scholarship' of 100,000 KRW per person.

The support targets students enrolled in middle and high schools (including out-of-school youth and alternative school students) and universities in the Gwangju area, and either the student or their parents must reside in Gwangju.

As part of the policy to realize 'Gwangju as a good city to give birth and raise children,' pregnant women currently residing in the city will also receive 100,000 KRW each.

Due to the implementation of social distancing level 2, wedding hall gatherings are limited to fewer than 50 people, and buffet operations have been suspended by administrative orders banning gatherings in high-risk facilities, newlywed families who have suffered unexpected mental and economic damage will receive 300,000 KRW.

The support targets newlyweds where at least one of the bride or groom resides in Gwangju, and who held their wedding at a wedding hall in Gwangju during the social distancing level 2 period.

Mayor Lee said, "The total budget required for this 9th Livelihood Stabilization Measures is expected to be about 24.4 billion KRW," and explained, "The funds will be quickly provided before Chuseok using the already allocated COVID-19 overcoming livelihood economy support and job budgets, as well as contingency funds."

He added, "However, since the government's comprehensive support measures require the passage of the 4th supplementary budget bill submitted to the National Assembly, the support contents may change during the budget review process in the National Assembly, and the government is also doing its best to ensure that the support funds are disbursed before Chuseok."

The mayor said, "We will do our best to find a balance between quarantine and the economy to protect citizens' safety while alleviating the suffering of ordinary people," and added, "We will also not neglect actively promoting the Gwangju-type 3 major New Deal policies. I earnestly ask once again for everyone to strictly follow quarantine rules to protect themselves and their families, and to join forces in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis through mutual consideration and respect."

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