Expansion of Cultural Voucher for the Vulnerable... Munhwa Nuri Card Subsidy Raised to 150,000 Won

160,000 Won for Youth and Those Aged 60 to 64
Total of 374.5 Billion Won to Support 2.7 Million People

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on February 2 that it will increase this year's annual subsidy for the "Integrated Culture Voucher (Munhwa Nuri Card)"-a program aimed at expanding cultural opportunities for socially disadvantaged and vulnerable groups-to 150,000 won, up by 10,000 won from the previous year. In addition, the ministry stated that youth (ages 13 to 18) and those entering old age (ages 60 to 64) among the beneficiaries will receive an extra 10,000 won, for a total of 160,000 won.

The Munhwa Nuri Card support program assists basic livelihood security recipients and legally recognized low-income households, aged six or older (born on or before December 31, 2020), to participate in cultural, arts, travel, and sports activities. The subsidy amount has been raised almost every year from 60,000 won in 2017. This year, a total of 374.5 billion won (263.6 billion won from the national government and 110.9 billion won from local governments) will be allocated to support 2.7 million people.

Applications and issuance for the Munhwa Nuri Card will be available from February 2 to November 30 through community centers nationwide, the Munhwa Nuri Card website, and the mobile application. The issued card must be used by December 31.

Those who spent more than 30,000 won with the Munhwa Nuri Card last year and remain eligible this year will have their subsidy automatically recharged to the card without needing to reapply. A notification message will be sent to those whose subsidy has been automatically recharged, and from February 2 onward, recipients can check the status of the automatic recharge at community centers nationwide, on the Munhwa Nuri Card website, by phone, or via the mobile app.

The Munhwa Nuri Card can be used at over 35,000 affiliated merchants nationwide in the fields of culture and arts, domestic travel, and sports. Benefits include a 2,500 won discount on movie tickets, a 10% discount on book purchases at major bookstores, up to a 40% discount on admission to the four major professional sports (volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball), as well as discounts on performance and exhibition tickets, musical instrument purchases, accommodation fees, amusement park (theme park) tickets, sports facility fees, and sports equipment (discount rates vary by merchant). Tickets donated by cultural and arts organizations, known as "Nanum Ticket" (free or discounted), can also be used up to four per person (limited to three times per month).

If the card's usage limit is insufficient, users can add up to 300,000 won of their own funds (within an annual limit of 2 million won) in addition to the government subsidy. By registering Munhwa Nuri Card information with simple payment services (such as NH Pay or Naver Pay), users can make payments at online and offline affiliated merchants without the physical card.

By using the Munhwa Nuri website or mobile app, users can check detailed information about affiliated merchants by region and sector, as well as free and discounted benefits and the Nanum Ticket program. Location-based services are also available to search for affiliated merchants nearby.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that it plans to continuously increase the number of affiliated merchants so that users can enjoy a richer cultural life. The ministry also announced plans to actively identify those who have not yet benefited from the program by linking with "Guppi," the government’s official administrative notification service, and to support the issuance of Braille cards for users with low vision or visual impairments.

Lee Jeongmin, Director of Cultural Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "The ministry has increased the Munhwa Nuri Card subsidy every year, and this year, in particular, we have improved the program so that youth, those at the onset of old age, and local residents can fully enjoy cultural experiences alongside the increased subsidy. We will continue to carefully ensure that everyone, regardless of income, region, or age, can enjoy culture in their daily lives and will further advance our cultural enjoyment policies."

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