Discount train tickets, a 400,000 won ($274) subsidy for workers and free admission to state-run cultural sites are among the items on the government’s public livelihood support package tailored for the upcoming six-day Lunar New Year holidays.
According to officials Thursday, the government and the ruling People Power Party decided on a 30-40 percent discount on all tickets for the high-speed KTX and SRT trains scheduled for Jan. 27-31 to support Koreans visiting their homes during one of the country's biggest holidays.
This came after the government designated Monday, Jan. 27 a temporary holiday to stimulate domestic spending and promote tourism. With the regular three-day Lunar New Year holiday falling from Jan. 28-30 this year, the temporary holiday means locals can take a six-day break from Jan. 25.
Among the support package announced Thursday is a 400,000 won per person subsidy to cover the travel expenses of small and medium enterprise employees. Eligible for this cash handout program are roughly 150,000 workers on the payroll of companies officially categorized as SMEs. The designation is based on the number of regular workers, capital, sales and total assets, which differ for each industry and are specified in the Framework Act of Small and Medium Enterprises.
To boost local tourism during the long holiday, the government will also distribute a million discount coupons for lodging outside of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, each valued at a maximum of 30,000 won. Some 5.5 trillion won of the state budget will be allotted to Onnuri gift certificates which will be offered at a 15 percent discount, up from the usual 10 percent. These vouchers can be used for purchases at traditional markets and small local retailers and restaurants.
In a bid to stabilize food prices, the ruling camp has also agreed to increase supplies of 16 major items such as cabbages, radishes, beef, eggs, apples and pears during the third week of January, roughly by 1.5 times the usual amount. Discounts on these popular products, in coordination with the distribution industry, will be available for holiday shoppers, with the government allocating 90 billion won for the discounts.
Admission to state-run galleries and museums will also be free from Jan 28-30, and the relevant information will be posted on major mobile map applications.
The government plans to hold an additional meeting on Jan. 16 to reaffirm emergency medical support for the public, in response to the recent spread of seasonal flu and respiratory diseases nationwide. South Korea is experiencing a medical staff shortage due to a prolonged walkout of doctors resisting the government plan to raise medical school admissions quotas.
Thursday’s announcement also mentioned the government plans to pump a total of 26.5 trillion won for financial policies for SMEs and smaller businesses across the country, including the 1.7 trillion won slated for the Seollal holidays. This includes providing a total of 5 billion won in subsidies for merchants in traditional markets, delivery fee subsidies for small business owners and 70,000 won a month in transportation expenses for 13,000 handicapped workers with low income.
