Busan is good

Busan Launches the 2025 “Joy Card Program” for Young Employees at Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

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The City of Busan (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will begin accepting applications from April 7 to April 18, 2025, for the 2025 Busan Youth Joy Card Program.

The program, launched in 2020, aims to narrow the wage gap between SMEs and large corporations, enhance employee morale, and encourage long-term retention of young workers in SMEs.

A total of 2,000 participants will be selected this year—an increase from 1,650 in 2024. Each selected youth will receive KRW 1 million in welfare points, provided in two installments.

Eligibility:

• ●Aged 18 to 39 (born between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 2007)

• ●Registered resident of Busan

• ●Employed at a Busan-based SME for at least 3 months

• ●Hired between January 1, 2023, and January 2, 2025

• ●Monthly income below KRW 3,589,000, verified through an average monthly health insurance premium (excluding long-term care) of KRW 127,230 or less for the period of January–March 2025

Selected recipients will be announced through a public lottery in May following screening. They must complete a mandatory orientation on how to use the points. The welfare points will be distributed in two installments of KRW 500,000—the first in June, and the second in September, pending employment verification.

The welfare points can be used in the following categories:

• ●Cultural Leisure: Performances, exhibitions, amusement parks, travel, and sports goods

• ●Self-Development: Online/offline courses, qualification exam fees, and books

• ●Health Management: Health checkups, prescription glasses, hearing aids, health supplements, and gym memberships

How to Apply:

• ●Online via the official program website: www.부산기쁨카드.kr

• ●Period: April 7 (Mon), 10:00 AM – April 18 (Fri), 6:00 PM

Required Documents:

• ●Business registration certificate of current employer

• ●SME certification (must be valid as of April 1, 2025) issued via the SME Status Information System (SMINFO)

For inquiries:

• ●Busan Economic Promotion Agency ☎ 051-600-1872~3

Kim Gwi-ok, Director General of the Youth-Industry Division of Busan City, stated:

“We hope this program helps reduce income inequality and improve the quality of life for young people starting their careers at SMEs in Busan. The City will continue to pursue youth-friendly policies that make Busan a better place to live and work.”