In the second half of this year, 4.5 million movie ticket discount vouchers worth 6,000 won will be distributed, and the telecommunications plans for LTE and 5G users will be revised to ensure basic data usage rights. Additionally, the eligibility for advance child support payments for single-parent families will be expanded, and the 'AI Government 24' service will be fully launched, among 245 policy changes closely related to citizens' lives.
The Ministry of Finance announced on June 30 that it has published a booklet titled 'Changes Starting in the Second Half of 2026,' summarizing new or revised systems and regulations.
This booklet is a policy guide published twice a year, in January and July, since 1997. The latest edition includes 245 policy changes compiled from various government agencies, organized by sector, institution, and implementation date.
The Ministry has revamped the booklet to help citizens easily find the benefits they need. It highlights 40 key policies that have a significant impact on the public, categorized under five main keywords, and includes a guide map for beneficiaries such as youth and small business owners.
In the second half of the year, economic support measures will be strengthened to alleviate household burdens amid rising prices. A total of 4.5 million movie ticket discount vouchers worth 6,000 won will be distributed to all citizens. The income criteria for advance child support payments for minor children of single-parent families will also be eliminated to ensure stable growth.
To support small businesses, the contribution limit for the Yellow Umbrella Fund will be increased from 3 million won per quarter to 18 million won annually. Measures to ease the repayment burden of policy funds for small business owners who have closed their businesses and the introduction of a specialized credit evaluation system for small businesses will also be implemented to enhance their financial capacity.
Policies aimed at improving daily convenience will also be introduced. The telecommunications plans for LTE and 5G users will be revised to guarantee basic data usage rights. The 'AI Government 24' service, which helps users find administrative benefits tailored to their needs, will be officially launched, and a unified app for booking high-speed trains like KTX and SRT will be released.
Additionally, protections for workers with unpaid wages will be expanded, with the government set to pay up to six months' worth of back wages in advance. A new short-term parental leave system will be introduced, and penalties for employers who deliberately and repeatedly fail to pay wages will be strengthened.
Support for youth will also be increased. The eligibility for interest exemptions on student loans that require repayment after employment will be expanded, and the 'K-New Deal Academy' will be established to support work experience after employment. Nationwide support for family caregiving and isolated youth will be expanded, and the Youth Culture and Arts Pass will broaden its coverage to include books starting in August.
This edition of the booklet has enhanced AI search capabilities. The Ministry has added classification data such as '#Youth' and '#Housing' and transformed the content into a question-and-answer format. The booklet will be made available in markdown format to help citizens easily find policies that suit their needs through private generative AI or portal searches.
The booklet will be distributed in July to local governments, public libraries, braille libraries, and correctional institutions nationwide. It can also be accessed on the Ministry of Finance's website, online bookstores, and a dedicated webpage titled 'Changes Starting in the Second Half of 2026.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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