Sunchang Expands Rural Basic Income Use to Seven Business Categories

Laundromats and community sports facilities added; taxi fares covered up to 50,000 won per month

Sunchang County has expanded the places where the rural basic income can be used, adding laundromats and community sports facilities to the five existing business categories, including hospitals and pharmacies. Residents can also use the income to pay taxi fares, up to 50,000 won per month.

A performance on the rural basic income program organized by Sunchang County. Provided by Sunchang County.

According to Sunchang County on Nov. 3, residents of rural townships had previously been able to spend up to 150,000 won per month in the town area on five essential services: hospitals, pharmacies, academies, optical shops and movie theaters. Under the revised rules, laundromats and community sports facilities, including swimming pools, have been added, bringing the total number of eligible business categories to seven.

Taxi fares can now also be paid with the basic income, up to a monthly limit of 50,000 won. This will allow rural residents, who have limited access to public transportation, to use the income for everyday travel, such as visiting a hospital or going shopping.

Sunchang County Governor Choi Young-il said, "We will expand the places where the basic income can be used to include laundromats, community sports facilities and taxis, so that residents of rural townships can enjoy its benefits more conveniently in their daily lives. We will identify additional eligible businesses based on residents' feedback and ensure that the basic income contributes to greater household stability and a stronger local economy."

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