SEOUL, South Korea — The South Korean government will begin distributing "high oil price damage support funds" as early as April 27 to cushion households from surging energy costs triggered by prolonged instability in the Middle East, with vulnerable groups receiving priority payments of up to 600,000 won ($440) per person.
The relief program, part of a massive supplementary budget passed by the National Assembly, targets the bottom 70% of income earners — an estimated 32.56 million people — providing tiered cash assistance ranging from a minimum of 100,000 won to a maximum of 600,000 won per individual. Vulnerable populations, including basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty households and single-parent families, will start receiving funds first, followed by the broader eligible group from May 18.
