The South Korean government is set to begin the second phase of its "Livelihood Recovery Consumer Coupon" program on September 22nd to stimulate the domestic economy. This initiative will distribute 100,000 won per person to 90% of the population, excluding the top 10% by income. Applications will be accepted both online and in-person at community centers and through card company apps until October 31st.
The first round, which began in July, saw a remarkable 98.9% application rate, with approximately 50.05 million people receiving a total of 9.06 trillion won. This figure even surpassed the application rate of the 2021 COVID-19 relief payments, demonstrating strong public participation. The coupons have had a tangible effect on consumer metrics, with the Bank of Korea's Consumer Sentiment Index reaching a 7-year, 7-month high of 111.4 in August. The Small Business Owners' Business Survey Index (BSI) also rebounded, and July's retail sales index showed its largest monthly increase in 29 months.
Eligibility for the second round is determined by a combination of asset and health insurance premium data. High-asset individuals, defined as those with combined property tax assessment bases over 1.2 billion won or annual financial income over 20 million won, are excluded. The remaining 90% of the population is selected based on their household health insurance premiums as of June 2025. For example, a four-person single-earner household with a monthly premium of 510,000 won or less qualifies. Vulnerable populations, including those receiving basic living support, are automatically eligible without a separate review.
To ensure smooth access, the application process will operate under a five-day rotation system for the first week (September 22-26) based on the last digit of one's birth year, with no restrictions on weekends. Online applications are available through card company apps and websites, as well as mobile payment platforms like Kakaobank and Toss. In-person applications can be made at local community centers or affiliated bank branches. Home visits are also being arranged for elderly and mobility-impaired individuals.
A key improvement for the second round is expanded accessibility for military personnel, who can now apply and use the coupons at community centers near their service locations. The range of eligible businesses has also been widened to include local agricultural cooperatives, promoting the consumption of eco-friendly products. However, large department stores, supermarkets, and entertainment venues remain excluded. All coupons must be used by November 30th, after which any remaining balance will expire.
The government is also taking steps to prevent fraud and misuse. A prior notification service will inform eligible citizens of their status, and a dedicated reporting system will be in place to handle smishing and fraudulent transactions. The government emphasizes that text messages related to the coupons will not contain links and urges citizens to be vigilant.
Minister of the Interior and Safety, Yoon Ho-jung, stated that the government will make every effort to ensure a seamless process, hoping the second round of coupons will further spread the momentum of domestic recovery.
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