Seoul sets out subsidy package for young jobseekers

By Kim Rahn

A total of 3,000 young jobseekers in Seoul could be set to receive 500,000 won every month for up to six months as part of the city government’s new welfare policies.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) said Monday that it has finalized a youth support program and is aiming to start providing the subsidy in July, pending the outcome of a Supreme Court ruling.

Residents aged between 19 and 29 that have lived in Seoul for more than one year would be eligible for the program. “We will prioritize those who have been seeking jobs for a long time and those from low-income families, as many such people would not have been able to participate in job training programs because they have to make a living through part-time jobs,” said a city official.

However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare filed a petition with the Supreme Court against the Seoul Metropolitan Council in January after the council refused a request by the ministry not to allocate a budget for the subsidies program. The future of the program is dependent on the outcome of the court’s decision, which is due in the next few months.

If the subsidies program progresses, those eligible can use the 500,000 won, to be provided on debit cards, when paying for tuition, study materials, study room rentals and public transportation.

When selecting the 3,000 beneficiaries, the city will first review how much the applicants’ families earn, whether the applicants have dependents and how long they have been unemployed. It will then evaluate their detailed job search plan.

“The beneficiaries will be required to regularly report their job-seeking activities to the city government. Payment will be stopped for those who fail to report or do not meet other requirements,” he said.

The court case which will decide whether the scheme will be put into practice came about because the SMG has been at odds with the central government, which said that the city should have engaged in consultation with it before unilaterally establishing a social welfare policy.