"Xhanminguk, Why No Support Funds?"... Anger of Joseonjok Excluded from Disaster Relief Payments

Government: "Difficult to Receive Unless There Is a Family Relationship"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Domestic Joseonjok and Chinese residents who have not received the COVID-19 coexistence national support fund (disaster relief fund) are expressing strong dissatisfaction.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 13th, foreigners, including Chinese compatriots, must have the same health insurance qualification as nationals to receive the disaster relief fund. The eligible recipients include △foreigners registered on the resident registration card with at least one Korean national, △permanent residents, and △one person among foreign marriage immigrants.

It was revealed that the application of these criteria covers 15% of the 2 million foreigners residing in Korea as of last year. Joseonjok and Chinese residents argue that these criteria are stringent. Accordingly, posts with the theme "Why don't foreigners receive disaster relief funds?" have been continuously posted on online communities recently.

Photo by Online Community Capture

On the same day (the 13th), a post titled "Current status of the community of Chinese compatriots who did not receive disaster relief funds" was uploaded on various online communities. The post contained content showing some Joseonjok excluded from the disaster relief fund recipients expressing dissatisfaction with harsh profanity.

One Joseonjok mentioned the F4 visa, saying, "Why don't we get disaster relief funds? Did we pay less tax or insurance? Damn Korean government." Others also expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying, "That's how damn Korea is, being a small country, stingy," and "Bosses who didn't receive the 5th disaster relief fund, let's go to the government with axes."

The F4 visa, issued when Joseonjok enter and stay in Korea, is known as the "Overseas Korean" visa. Eligibility is limited to those who once held Korean nationality but acquired foreign nationality, or those whose one parent or grandparent held Korean nationality and who acquired foreign nationality. To continue residing in Korea, the visa must be renewed every three years.

Meanwhile, the possibility of disaster relief funds actually being paid to Joseonjok and foreigners residing in Korea seems low. There is strong public opposition to expanding disaster relief fund payments, and despite recommendations from the Human Rights Commission, local governments are withholding additional disaster relief payments to excluded foreigners. Additionally, further budget allocation must be considered.

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