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Mayor Park Heong-joon Pledges All-Out Efforts to Ease Citizens’ Burden… First Round of “High Oil Price Relief Fund” Payments to Begin on April 27

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that it will begin the first round of “High Oil Price Relief Fund” payments from April 27 to May 8 in order to ease the financial burden on citizens caused by rising oil prices and inflation and to support the recovery of the local economy. Accordingly, basic livelihood recipients will receive KRW 600,000, while near-poor and single-parent households will receive KRW 500,000.

In accordance with the government’s payment plan, during the second application and payment period from May 18 to July 3, 70% of citizens selected based on income criteria will receive support. Those residing in population-declining priority areas—Dong-gu, Seo-gu, and Yeongdo-gu—will receive KRW 200,000 per person, while residents in the other 13 districts and counties will receive KRW 150,000 per person.

The 70% eligibility group will be determined based on criteria such as health insurance premiums and will receive payments during the second period.

Basic livelihood recipients, near-poor households, and single-parent households who fail to apply during the first application and payment period may still apply and receive support during the second period.

Applications for the High Oil Price Relief Fund can be made both online and offline. During the first week (April 27–April 30), a weekday-based application system will be implemented based on the last digit of the applicant’s birth year to ensure smooth processing. Offline applications are not available on weekends and public holidays.

Online applications can be submitted through the websites and mobile apps of each card company, as well as through local currency apps such as Dongbaekjeon.

For offline applications, credit and debit card users can apply at bank branches affiliated with their card issuer; Dongbaekjeon applicants can visit Busan Bank branches; and prepaid card applicants can apply at their local eup, myeon, or dong administrative welfare centers.

Eligible recipients are citizens registered as residents of Busan Metropolitan City as of March 30, 2026. Adults (those born on or before December 31, 2007) may apply individually.

For minors, the head of the household listed on the resident registration can apply. However, minor household heads without any adult members listed on the resident registration may apply directly.

Eligibility can be checked in advance through the National Secretary website (https://ips.go.kr) or by requesting notification services for the High Oil Price Relief Fund via mobile apps such as Naver, KakaoTalk, or Toss. Applicants will receive advance guidance two days before the application date (April 25 for the first round and May 16 for the second round) regarding payment amounts, application methods, and usage deadlines.

The relief funds can be used at small business establishments within Busan with annual sales of less than KRW 3 billion, excluding restricted sectors such as entertainment and gambling industries.

The funds must be used by August 31, and any unused balance will automatically expire.

If payment cannot be made through unmanned kiosks or in-store table ordering systems, transactions must be processed using the merchant’s card terminal.

In addition, the city will operate a dedicated call center starting April 24 to enhance citizen convenience. For elderly individuals and persons with disabilities who have difficulty traveling, district and county offices will also provide a visiting application service.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “This High Oil Price Relief Fund is a measure to substantially reduce the increased financial burden on citizens caused by recent surges in oil prices and inflation. In particular, we have focused our policy on prioritizing the protection of vulnerable groups facing difficulties in their daily lives and supporting stability in people’s livelihoods.”

He added, “We hope that this support will go beyond a one-time measure and lead to increased local consumption, creating a virtuous cycle that revitalizes small businesses and the overall regional economy.”