S. Korea Gov't To Roll Out Cash Aid Late This Month Amid West Asia Crisis

SEOUL, April 11 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- Cash assistance for the bottom 70 per cent of income earners will begin being rolled out later this month, the government announced Saturday, as part of efforts to ease the financial strain caused by rising oil prices, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The aid will first reach the most vulnerable within that income bracket starting April 27 and expand to the broader eligible group May 18.

Approximately 32.5 million people are eligible for the aid, with payments ranging from 100,000 won (US$67.30) to 600,000 won per person, depending on income level and region.

The National Assembly passed a 26.2 trillion-won extra budget bill the previous day to address the economic fallout from the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Earlier in the day, the Cabinet reviewed and approved the bill, and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said the government will implement the budget in a speedy and effective way.

The cash assistance programme, allocated at 6.1 trillion won, is part of that package.

Recipients may collect the funds in the form of debit cards, prepaid cards or regional shopping gift cards. The money must be spent by Aug. 31, and any unused amounts will be returned to the state.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP