Hwasun-gun, Nationwide First to Provide 1.2 Million Won 'Farmers and Fishermen Public Interest Allowance'

Published 07 Jan.2022 15:13(KST)

[Hwasun=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Ji-woon] Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, will be the first in the nation to provide farmers and fishermen's public interest allowances of 1.2 million KRW (100,000 KRW per month).

The county announced on the 7th that it will double the farmers and fishermen's public interest allowance, which was previously 600,000 KRW annually, to 1.2 million KRW starting this year.

Hwasun-gun is the only place nationwide to pay or have confirmed plans to pay farmers and fishermen's allowances of 1.2 million KRW or more.

Among the 22 cities and counties in Jeollanam-do, the Jeonnam Province farmers and fishermen's public interest allowance is paid at 600,000 KRW per household (40% from the province, 60% from the city/county).

Hwasun is the first among Jeonnam's cities and counties to increase the allowance to 1.2 million KRW by adding its own budget.

With the increase in payment, farmers and fishermen in Hwasun will receive twice the amount compared to other cities and counties in Jeonnam, making it the highest farmers and fishermen's allowance nationwide.

The county reflected the increase in this year's main budget, increasing the farmers and fishermen's allowance budget by 5.4 billion KRW compared to the previous year, totaling 10.8 billion KRW (2.16 billion KRW from provincial funds and 8.64 billion KRW from county funds).

A county official said, "To achieve the purpose and intent of introducing the allowance and to fulfill the promise made to the residents, the county decided to increase and pay the allowance on its own," adding, "There needs to be discussions on national policies regarding farmers' allowances, basic farmers' income, and rural basic income, which are being implemented or discussed by local governments."