Ministry of Health and Welfare Launches Main "Just Dream" Project on the 18th... Immediate Daily Necessities Support Without Application

Operating in 280 Locations Across 158 Regions Nationwide

Expansion to Over 300 Sites in All 229 Regions by Year-End

The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s “Just Dream” project, which provides immediate food and daily necessities to people facing economic hardship without requiring complicated income verification or paperwork, is now entering full-scale implementation.

Minister Jung Eun-kyung of the Ministry of Health and Welfare visited the Gwangmyeong Food Bank Market Gwangmyeong branch last month. Photo by Yonhap News.

On May 17, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that, starting on the 18th, the “Just Dream” main project will be launched simultaneously at 280 locations across 158 cities, counties, and districts nationwide. The ministry plans to expand the number of sites to more than 300 in all 229 cities, counties, and districts across the country by the second half of this year, aiming to establish a robust social safety net.

97,000 Supported in Five-Month Pilot... 1,553 Crisis Households Newly Identified

The “Just Dream” project was designed to ease the burden on vulnerable groups who are unable to apply for government assistance due to social stigma or complex administrative procedures. Anyone with urgent food needs can visit a Just Dream corner set up in a food market, food bank, or at community welfare centers to immediately receive three to five food and daily necessity items worth about 20,000 won per person.

During the pilot program, which ran from December last year to the end of April this year at 129 sites in 68 regions, a cumulative total of 97,926 people received supplies, demonstrating strong public support. The program went beyond simply distributing goods: 10,255 users were connected to local welfare centers, and 1,553 crisis households previously left in blind spots were newly identified and supported.

The project also established a successful public-private partnership model for securing resources. Donations and in-kind contributions totaling 11.6 billion won were received from private partners, including 10 billion won from Shinhan Financial Group, 300 million won from Lotte Group, and 200 million won from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., creating a strong foundation for the safety net.

Advanced Procedures to Target Those in Need... Proactive Outreach in Partnership with Police

The ministry has improved the operational system to ensure that support is focused on those who truly need assistance as the project transitions to its main phase.

The usage process has been refined into three stages. First-time visitors have their identity checked and complete a self-assessment checklist before immediately receiving supplies. On the second visit, a basic consultation with on-site staff is required, and those deemed in need of more intensive support are automatically referred to the local customized welfare team. Whether ongoing support will be provided is determined after a third visit, based on follow-up consultation at the community welfare center. Throughout this process, the authority of on-site staff to distribute goods has been strengthened in order to flexibly address any gaps in the safety net.

The channels for identifying those in need have also been expanded. Based on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the National Police Agency in March, police officers are now actively encouraged to connect households in crisis that they encounter during field operations to the nearest Just Dream site.

Jung Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, “We will expand Just Dream sites to all corners of the country within this year so that no neighbor suffers from hunger or livelihood difficulties,” adding, “We will ensure the system is operated transparently and effectively through constant monitoring and on-site guidance.” Detailed locations of nearby Just Dream sites can be found on the official websites of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Food Bank.

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