Paju City Announces 'Three Major Livelihood Stabilization Measures'... Mobilizing All-Out Response in Welfare, Agriculture & Livestock, and Economy

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyungil) is launching a comprehensive emergency economic response to alleviate the financial burden of citizens suffering from soaring international oil prices and prolonged high inflation. On April 17, Paju City announced its "Livelihood Stabilization Measures," centered on the three key sectors of welfare, agriculture & livestock, and the economy, and emphasized its commitment to swift implementation.

A view of Paju City Hall. Provided by Paju City

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The most notable measure is the "High Oil Price Relief Fund." Starting April 27, the first round of payments will be made to vulnerable groups, and from May 18, eligibility will expand to include citizens in the bottom 70% income bracket.

The amount of support per person is as follows: 550,000 won for recipients of basic living security; 450,000 won for those in the near-poor category and single-parent families; and 100,000 won for citizens in the bottom 70% income group. Applications can be submitted both online and offline. For credit and debit cards, citizens may apply via the respective card company’s website or app, or by visiting a bank branch affiliated with their card. For local currency, applications can be made through a dedicated app or by visiting the local administrative welfare center in each town or township.

To minimize confusion and enhance convenience for citizens, the city has set up various support systems: a day-of-week application system based on the last digit of birth year during the first week (Mondays for 1 and 6, Tuesdays for 2 and 7, Wednesdays for 3 and 8, Thursdays for 4, 9, 5, and 0, and on Fridays, the day restriction is lifted); an outreach application service; a dedicated phone consultation center; and additional staff at administrative welfare centers. In particular, support for offline counters will be strengthened to ensure digitally vulnerable groups do not face difficulties during the application process.

Choi Byunggab, Deputy Mayor of Paju City, stated, "We are focusing on strengthening support systems so that digitally vulnerable citizens can apply without inconvenience," adding, "We will do our utmost to ease the burden on citizens affected by high oil prices through rapid payment, and to provide practical help in revitalizing the local economy."

Paju City, Inspection of Food Price and Farming Material Supply Status. On-site Visit to Local Food Munsan Branch. Provided by Paju City.

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In the agriculture and livestock sector, the city is implementing a two-track strategy to protect both producers and consumers.

Paju City visited the Paju Local Food Direct Store Munsan Branch to check trends in agricultural product prices and met with store officials to discuss supply conditions and price fluctuations. As challenges continue with the supply of materials and general price instability due to the aftermath of the Middle East conflict, the city aims to ensure the stable supply of essential food ingredients so that citizens do not face disruptions in access to local food.

During the visit, the Mayor of Paju personally checked the prices of rice, vegetables, and livestock products, closely monitoring market prices, discount events, and consumer trends. The mayor remarked, "By expanding sales channels for locally produced agricultural products through direct stores, we hope to provide breathing room for local farmers, while fresh and affordable products help relieve the burden of high prices for citizens during these difficult times."

Paju Local Food Direct Store Munsan Branch is holding a special discount event to help ease consumer burdens caused by recent price increases in major food ingredients. The event will take place in two phases: from April 17 to 19, rice, livestock products, eggs, tofu, and sauces will be sold at a 20% discount for three days; then, from April 24 to 26, livestock products and sauces will also be offered at a 20% discount for three days.

The discounted items were selected based on the latest monthly price survey, focusing on food ingredients whose prices have recently risen, with the goal of meaningfully reducing the cost of groceries for citizens. The Munsan Branch of Paju Local Food Direct Store plans to continue implementing "good price" policies and ongoing discount events that citizens can tangibly benefit from, thereby further alleviating the cost-of-living burden.

Additionally, the Mayor of Paju visited the construction site of the Paju Local Food Complex Center, which is scheduled for completion in September. The complex center is being developed as a hub to directly supply local agricultural products to urban residents, revolutionizing the distribution structure by shortening supply chains and providing safer, fresher products on a stable basis. On-site, the mayor asked stakeholders to ensure that the local food direct store supporting local farmers and providing safe food for citizens is completed as planned, and above all, to pay special attention to accident prevention so the project can be finished without incidents.

The mayor also visited the Bukpaju Nonghyup Agricultural Materials Center on April 15 to assess the impact of rising international oil prices and unstable naphtha supply on the local agricultural industry, and to directly check the status of agricultural material supplies. The mayor, together with an official from Bukpaju Nonghyup, conducted a comprehensive review of the current status of facility material procurement such as mulching film and nursery nonwoven fabric, recent price trends, and future supply forecasts.

A Paju City official stated, "The instability in the international situation is causing increases in raw material prices and shipping costs, which may heighten the management burden for farms. To prevent any supply disruptions during the farming season, we are closely cooperating with the agricultural cooperative and operating an agriculture and livestock stabilization team under the Emergency Economic Headquarters to continuously monitor supplies of farming materials, tax-free fuel, and agricultural and livestock prices. We will maintain a proactive and meticulous response system so that farmers can focus on their work with confidence."

Paju City Conducts 'Field Inspection of Livelihood Economy' in Response to Middle East War. Munsan Free Market. Provided by Paju City

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To deal with increasing external uncertainty and ongoing high prices resulting from the recent Middle East conflict, Paju City’s Emergency Economic Headquarters conducted an "On-Site Inspection of Livelihood Economy" from April 15 for two days at major traditional markets and large supermarkets within the city.

This inspection was organized to ensure the continuity of local administration and the steady implementation of livelihood policies that directly affect citizens, even during the election period, when on-site activities by the mayor are limited.

The inspection team included Choi Byunggab, Deputy Mayor of Paju City and Deputy Head of the Emergency Economic Headquarters, along with the Head of the Division for Economic Stability and the Head of the Livelihood Economy Department, as well as other relevant officials. On April 15, the team visited Homeplus Paju Munsan Branch and Munsan Free Market, and on April 16, they inspected Emart Paju Branch and Geumchon Traditional Market, thoroughly reviewing the major commercial districts in the city.

During the visits, meetings were held with supermarket managers and traditional market merchants’ association leaders to listen to firsthand feedback from the field. Particular attention was paid to the difficulties faced by merchants as a result of rising energy and commodity prices triggered by the Middle East conflict, and practical support measures and strategies to revitalize local commerce were discussed.

Through store inspections, the team directly checked the supply and price trends of essential daily goods and reviewed the price stabilization management system aimed at reducing citizens’ grocery expenses.

Choi Byunggab, Deputy Mayor of Paju City, stated, "With external economic conditions worsening and challenges mounting for local businesses, it is more important than ever to listen directly to voices from the field and respond swiftly. Going forward, we will continue to maintain the emergency economic response system, regularly monitor the livelihood economy, and develop effective support measures that citizens and small business owners can truly feel."

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