Ministry of Interior to Begin Second Round of High Oil Price Relief Payments on May 18

by Park Ja Yeon Posted : May 14, 2026, 17:44Updated : May 14, 2026, 17:44
Vice Minister Kim Min-jae inspects the community center in Gongju on May 14, 2026, ahead of the second round of high oil price relief payments.
Vice Minister Kim Min-jae inspects the community center in Gongju on May 14, 2026, ahead of the second round of high oil price relief payments. [Photo=Ministry of Interior]
The Ministry of Interior announced on May 14 that Vice Minister Kim Min-jae visited Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, to assess preparations for the second round of high oil price relief payments, set to begin on May 18. During his visit, he listened to local concerns and checked the readiness of the facilities.
Kim visited the Okryong-dong community center to ensure that residents applying for the relief payments would not face any inconveniences. He emphasized the importance of thorough preparations, especially since this second round will include about 70% of the population, including those who did not apply in the first round.
He inspected the availability of offline payment methods, such as prepaid cards, and noted that many elderly residents who visit the center may struggle with online applications. Kim requested that sufficient indoor waiting space and guidance staff be provided, especially as temperatures rise.
Additionally, he urged the promotion of the opportunity for those who missed the first application period to apply during the second round, ensuring that all eligible individuals can receive the relief payments without gaps in coverage.
The second round of high oil price relief payments will begin simultaneously online and offline at 9 a.m. on May 18. Eligible amounts include 130,000 won for single-income households with one employee, 140,000 won for two-person households, 80,000 won for single-income households with regional subscribers, and 120,000 won for two-person households.
To prevent congestion and system overload during the first week of applications, a system based on the last digit of applicants' birth years will be implemented.
Kim stated, "As the number of eligible individuals expands in this second round, meticulous preparations are necessary to ensure that every citizen can apply and receive their payments without inconvenience. While the current workload is significant, the Ministry of Interior and local governments will work closely to ensure a smooth and prompt payment process for the public."



* This article has been translated by AI.