“Even inmates provided with room and board are claiming livelihood support payments” ... 70,000 people took home 7.3 billion won

[Financial News] Over roughly the past two years, some 70,000 people received Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons and Financial Assistance for Damages Caused by High Fuel Prices. The total amount of assistance they received is estimated to have exceeded 7.3 billion won.
According to the Dong-A Ilbo on the 2nd, data submitted by the Ministry of Justice to the office of Yoon Sang-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker on the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, showed that last year 34,201 inmates received the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon in the first round and 20,282 in the second.
A further 19,082 inmates received Financial Assistance for Damages Caused by High Fuel Prices this year, bringing the total over two years to 73,565 recipient payments, the figures showed. Assuming each person received at least 100,000 won, the total amount of assistance would exceed 7.3 billion won. The Correctional Bureau of the Ministry of Justice said, “Local governments assess eligibility and distribute the gift certificates, so it is difficult to estimate the amount paid.”
These statistics count only cases in which correctional facility heads applied for assistance on behalf of inmates. They do not include applications made by family members, so the actual number of inmates who received assistance is likely higher than the reported figure.
As inmates have difficulty applying for assistance themselves while incarcerated, the general rule is for family members to apply on their behalf. The statistics captured only cases in which correctional facility heads applied for them because they could not reach their families or had no one else to apply on their behalf.
To apply for assistance, an inmate submits an application form and a power of attorney, after which correctional facility staff submit the application on their behalf to the relevant city, county or district office. The gift certificates are managed separately from ordinary inmate funds and classified as “special safekeeping items.” When released, inmates can reclaim them themselves or hand them over to family members or acquaintances.
Neither program excludes people from receiving assistance simply because they are inmates. Only income is considered for citizens residing in the country.
Yoon said, “We need to examine whether providing livelihood support payments to inmates who receive room and board in correctional facilities is in line with the purpose of the program,” adding, “We should review whether the eligibility criteria and method of payment are appropriate, taking into account both inmates’ ability to spend the money and their families’ financial circumstances.”
[email protected] Kim Hee-sun Reporter