Mayor Dong-sik Park of Sacheon Expands Public Utility Support and Broadens Livelihood Assistance

One-Year Deferral of Sewer Usage Fee Increase
and 5 Billion Won in Support Funds for Small Business Owners

Sacheon City in South Gyeongsang Province will provide 5 billion won in support funds for small business owners in the second half of the year to help stabilize their management amid difficulties such as economic recession and reduced consumer spending.

This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on small businesses and revitalize local commercial districts. Starting this year, the city has divided the support fund into the first and second halves to extend the benefits to a greater number of small business owners.

[Photo by Sacheon City] Mayor Dong-sik Park will provide 5 billion won in the second half to support small business owners struggling with economic recession and reduced consumption.

In the first half of the year, 5.5 billion won was provided to 166 businesses, and in the second half, an additional 5 billion won will be given to support 100 more businesses. The total support fund for small business owners in 2026 amounts to 10.5 billion won, making it the largest amount ever provided.

Eligible applicants are small business owners based in Sacheon who meet the criteria set out in the “Framework Act on Small Enterprises” and other relevant regulations. Business owners within six months of opening can apply for start-up funds, while those who have been operating for more than six months can apply for management stabilization funds.

Each business can receive up to 50 million won in loans, and the city plans to subsidize 2.5% annual interest for two years after loan issuance to help reduce financial burdens.

The loans can be obtained through 16 partner financial institutions (36 branches), including NongHyup Bank, BNK Kyongnam Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, regional agricultural and livestock cooperatives, and Saemaeul Geumgo, after passing a credit guarantee review by the Gyeongnam Credit Guarantee Foundation. Loan eligibility and limits will be determined based on the applicant’s creditworthiness and sales volume.

Applications are accepted from July 20, 2026, until the funds are exhausted, after making a reservation for a guarantee consultation on the Gyeongnam Credit Guarantee Foundation’s website. Seniors and others who have difficulty using digital devices can receive face-to-face consultations by visiting the Sacheon branch of the foundation.

For more details, please refer to the notification on the Sacheon City website or contact the Sacheon branch of the Gyeongnam Credit Guarantee Foundation or the Regional Economy Division of Sacheon City.

Dong-sik Park, Mayor of Sacheon City, stated, “We will continue to expand practical support so that small business owners can manage their businesses stably,” adding, “We will consistently pursue livelihood economic policies that citizens can truly feel.”

The recovery of the real economy begins not with grand slogans, but with small policies that alleviate difficulties on the ground. When small business owners are able to endure steadily, neighborhood commercial districts can thrive, forming a foundation for healthy local economic growth. We hope to see continuous and tangible support policies going forward.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.