○ Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jaemyung held a press conference on January 28 to address the payment method for the 2nd round of disaster-related basic income.
– “Heart grew heavy” upon hearing pleas for help from Gyeonggi members of the Korea Merchant Association
– Careful examination of payment timing in consideration of momentary preventive measures; analysis of preventive measure conditions for ten days
– Determined that the present time with the third infection wave is suitable considering all circumstances including preventive measures and the economy
– Regret potential economic damage if appropriate actions are not taken; the ‘golden hour’ must not be missed
– Meticulous preparations for complementary measures must be made to prevent contagion problems in the payment process
– Expression of gratitude to Pocheon City for decision to pay KRW 200,000 in disaster-related basic income to every resident; announced concurrence with Gyeonggi Province payment
○ Applications for 2nd round of disaster-related basic income to start February 1; use of payment from February 2 at earliest
○ Reinforced preventive measures compared to 1st payment round; dispersed payment procedures through online, on-site, and visiting application services
– Online applications accepted from February 1 to March 14; available through Gyeonggi Province’s local currency card and twelve other credit cards
– On-site receipt to be made as pre-payment through Gyeonggi Province local currency card at local administration and welfare centers starting March 1
– Visiting application services provided to vulnerable individuals who have difficulty with online applications and on-site receipt
– Use of Gyeonggi Province’s local currency at applicable businesses of one’s registered residential location for three months (until June 30) starting from the day that the approval text message is received

Online applications began on February 1 for Gyeonggi Province’s 2nd round of disaster-related basic income, which pays KRW 100,000 to each resident of Gyeonggi Province, to help residents overcome the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. At least a day or two is required for online application and approval; applicants who applied on February 1 to be granted use of the disaster-related basic income as early as February 2.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jaemyung held a press conference at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government complex on January 28 to announce the payment methods for the 2nd round of disaster-related basic income. Governor Lee made stated: “Payment of the disaster-related basic income before the Lunar New Year was deemed appropriate in consideration of all present conditions, including the economy and preventive measures, at this point in time during the third wave of infections.”

Governor Lee first spoke of the visit by provincial members of the Korea Merchant Association to the Gyeonggido Assembly on January 27, saying, “My heart grew heavy upon hearing the words, ‘We came because we are hungry. Our families are about to be kicked out into the streets. Help us!’”

Governor Lee stated, “We carefully examined the timing of the payment in consideration of momentary preventive measures, including advice from the leadership of the Democratic Party. According to a meticulous, ten-day analysis of COVID-19 preventive measures, it was determined by Gyeonggi Province that this point in time during the third wave of infections was most suitable. Waiting for a time at which the spread of the virus has abated, when a fourth wave can be expected several months into the future, is like waiting for the COVID-19 pandemic to come to an end. Now is a suitable time for payment of the disaster-related basic income in terms of the economic circumstances.”

Excluding the recent cluster infections centered around specific groups, the number of new confirmed daily cases, which once surpassed 1,000 after the third wave, has remained around 300-400 for over a week. Accordingly, this point in time was determined to be appropriate for payment of the basic income.

In terms of economic circumstances, consumption demand during the first mass infection last February dropped rapidly, and credit card sales fell 74% compared to the previous year. However, after the 1st round of disaster-related basic income payments in April, sales were restored to the average annual rate, and in May, sales hit a high point of 109% compared to the previous year. Sales began to drop in August and September, and credit card sales in December dropped to a low point of 64% compared to winter of the previous year.

Concerning this, Governor Lee stated, “In the past few years, our society has reflected on the necessity for not missing the ‘golden hour.’ If we do not act at this moment and the economy deteriorates to the point where it cannot be recovered, we might once again feel deep regret.”

Regarding concern over the increased risk in terms of preventive measures, Governor Lee stressed, “We have been more cooperative in pursuing preventive measures than other countries, and we will not violate preventive measures just so that each individual can spend the KRW 100,000 received through the 2nd round of disaster-related basic income. We made careful preparations to prevent any contagion problems that may occur during the payment process.”

Regarding Pocheon City’s decision to make a disaster-related basic income payment of KRW 200,000 to every Pocheon resident, Governor Lee stated, “We thank Pocheon for making this bold decision despite the city’s circumstances in which its fiscal independence ranks among the lowest of all thirty-one cities and counties in the province. The residents of Pocheon will receive combined disaster-related basic income payments from Gyeonggi Province and Pocheon totaling KRW 300,000 per person, KRW 1,200,000 per four-member household.”

■ How to apply for Gyeonggi Province’s 2nd round of disaster-related basic income

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce resident inconvenience, the 2nd round of disaster-related basic income will be paid through one of three methods: online application, on-site receipt, or a visiting application service.

Online applications can be made from 9 AM to 11 PM from February 1 to March 14. Applicants can choose an existing Gyeonggi Province local currency card or from among twelve credit card services for application convenience. To this end, the province has entered agreements with twelve card companies: KB Kookmin Bank, the Industrial Bank of Korea, Nonghyup Bank, Lotte Card, Samsung Card, Suhyup Bank, Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, KEB Hana Bank, Hyundai Card, BC Card, and Standard Chartered Korea.

On the official application website, which opens on February 1, residents must verify their residence in Gyeonggi Province and select the card company through which the disaster-related basic income payment will be made. The disaster-related basic income payment will be available for use through all cards associated with the selected card company.

Unlike the 1st round payment, online applications will be accepted in accordance with a five-day rotation system according to one’s year of birth. For the four-week period from February 1 to 28, residents whose year of birth ends with 1 or 6 can apply on Mondays, 2 or 7 on Tuesdays, 3 or 8 on Wednesdays, 4 or 9 on Thursdays, and 5 or 0 on Fridays. Anyone can apply on Saturdays and Sundays, regardless of their year of birth, and the five-day rotation system will not apply to weekday and weekend applications from March 1 to 14.

Through the online application process, parents or legal guardians can apply on behalf of minors in the same household are who registered at the same residence. However, this does not apply to adults in the same household.

Additionally, residents who find the online application process difficult can apply for the disaster-related basic income payment through on-site receipt.

Starting March 1, residents can visit the administration and welfare centers in the district of their residence with an ID card for pre-payment of disaster-related basic income on a Gyeonggi Province local currency card. Residents can visit their local administration and welfare centers and receive a card on the day of application or recharge their existing Gyeonggi Province local currency card.

Applications will be accepted from 9 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, and in consideration of office workers who cannot apply on weekdays, centers will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays for four weeks from March 1 to March 27.

However, to minimize on-site congestion for the 2nd round of disaster-related basic income payments, applications will be accepted during the week according to visitors’ year of birth so as to ensure compliance with contagion prevention and social distancing measures.

On the first week from March 1 to 6, residents born before 1959 can apply. On the second week from March 8 to 13, residents born between 1960 and 1969 can apply. On the third week from March 15 to 20, residents born between 1970 to 1979 can apply. On the fourth week from March 22 to 27, residents born after 1980 can apply.

Concurrently, the same five-day rotation system for online applications will be applied to on-site applications. For four weeks from March 1 to 27, applications made between Monday to Friday will be received according to one’s year of birth, and minors can apply on Saturdays. The five-day rotation system will not apply from March 29 to April 30, and applications will only be accepted from Monday to Friday.

On-site receipt of payment by proxy for families with minors will be possible, but authorization must be indicated on the application form for adult family members. Those who apply for and receive unauthorized payments in place of other family members can be prosecuted for fraud and forgery of private documents.

Third, visiting application services will be offered to vulnerable individuals who find online applications and on-site visits difficult. Visiting application services will be available to senior citizens, the disabled, low-income single-parent households, and recipients of the basic livelihood security; the service will be available from February 1 to February 28. During the 1st round of disaster-related basic income payments, there were 55,000 recipients of the visiting service in total, while the number for the 2nd payment round is expected to increase sharply to approximately 1.47 million, dispersing demand for on-site applications.

Non-Korean residents can apply online and on-site from April 1 to April 30.

■ How to use Gyeonggi Province’s 2nd disaster-related basic income payment

The usage period falls within three months of the date that the approval text message is received up until June 30, which is the final date upon which usage is possible. Any balance remaining afterwards will be recovered.

The disaster-related basic income payment can be used at those businesses within the district of one’s registered residence that accept Gyeonggi Province local currency. Upon making a purchase with a credit card or check card at a business that accepts the local currency, the purchase amount will automatically be deducted from the disaster-related basic income balance.

The disaster-related basic income payment can only be used at business with less than KRW 1 billion in annual sales; it cannot be used at department stores, large markets, corporate supermarkets, entertainment businesses, gambling operations, and stores under direct management of franchises. Detailed information about local businesses can be found on the Gyeonggi Province local currency website or on the websites of the credit card companies supporting disaster-related basic income.

As with the 1st round of disaster-related basic income, Gyeonggi Province will strictly control illegal acts involving local currency such as price gouging or cashback fees. Upon disclosure of such acts, the province will prosecute the parties involved in the transactions, taking strict action against perpetrating shops and individuals through regulations concerning tax investigations and the cancellation of affiliations.

Discovery of illegal acts involving local currency or any related act of discrimination can be reported via Gyeonggi Province’s Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram channels, through its blog, or by contacting the Gyeonggi Call Center (031-120).

At the end of the press conference, Governor Lee stressed, “Gyeonggi Province’s disaster-related basic income will not be sufficient, but we hope that this proves to be an opportunity for all residents to be reassured with hope and courage amid the sacrifices made and difficulties encountered during this time. We will continue to protect the lives and safety of residents through comprehensive preventive measures while restoring the stagnant local economy through bold economic initiatives.”