Gyeonggi Province Urges Government Support for Foreign Victims of Jeonse Scams

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 9th that it has urged the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to amend relevant laws and guidelines, including the ‘Special Act on Support for Jeonse Scam Victims and Housing Stability,’ so that foreign nationals legally residing in South Korea who are victims of jeonse scams can receive government support.

The Province requested that LH acquire the damaged properties of foreign victims and utilize them for emergency housing support, allowing victims to continue residing in their existing homes. It also proposed including foreign victims as beneficiaries of financial support to use low-interest jeonse loans through the Housing and Urban Fund and loan refinancing programs to replace existing jeonse loans.

The current system does not exclude foreigners in determining jeonse scam victims. However, even if they are designated as victims, foreigners are excluded from major support programs such as public rental housing supply and financial support utilizing the Housing and Urban Fund.

As a result, foreign victims cannot continue to reside in their damaged properties even when they wish to do so for reasons such as employment or children’s education. Even when they need jeonse funds or refinancing, it is difficult for them to access low-interest policy loans from the Housing and Urban Fund.

Gyeonggi Province explained the background of its proposal by determining that exceptional housing and financial support is necessary for foreign victims who legally reside in the country and have established their living foundations including employment and family. Considering the purpose of the ‘Jeonse Scam Victims Act,’ which is implemented temporarily to resolve housing insecurity for scam victims, the Province believes there is a need to improve the current system that excludes foreigners from major support programs based on nationality.

Kim Tae-su, director of the Housing Policy Division at Gyeonggi Province, said, “It is necessary to establish an institutional foundation so that foreign jeonse scam victims with life foundations in the country can reside stably in their damaged properties and receive necessary financial support,” and added, “We will continue to make efforts to improve the system through close consultation with relevant agencies.”