South Korea Disburses BLT of up to IDR 5.8 Million to Overcome Financial Pressure Due to Middle East Conflict

The South Korean government, on Monday (27/4), began distributing direct cash assistance (BLT) to recipients of basic living needs guarantees and vulnerable groups. The aid includes up to 550,000 won (Rp5.8 million) for basic life security recipients and 450,000 won (Rp5.2 million) for families with single parents and those just above the welfare eligibility threshold. Recipients outside Seoul or in declining-population areas receive an additional 50,000 won (Rp585,000). Applications are open until May 8, with approved recipients able to receive aid via credit/debit cards, prepaid cards, or local currency vouchers. The fund expires on August 31 and is intended for small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won (Rp35.1 billion) or less, or those using local currency vouchers. The government also plans to extend cash assistance to 70% of the lowest-income groups, with eligibility criteria announced early next month. The National Assembly approved a supplementary budget of 26.2 trillion won (Rp306.7 trillion) to address the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.