Government Prepares 19 Support Measures for Sewol Ferry Disaster Victims and Families

The government's funeral support team announced on the 8th that it has prepared 19 support measures across 10 ministries, including the provision of emergency welfare payments for families affected by the Sewol ferry disaster.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will provide living expenses between 399,900 won to 1,280,800 won based on the income level and number of family members of the affected families.

Health insurance premiums for affected families will be reduced by 30-50% for three months, and arrangements will be made to allow national pension insurance premiums to be paid at a later date upon family request.

In addition to treatment costs and medication expenses, psychological and psychiatric treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will also be provided.

The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning decided to provide telecommunications expenses for victims and their direct families. Mobile communication bills for April and May will be reduced, and cancellation penalties and remaining installment payments for mobile phones in the victim's name will be waived. For rescued individuals who need to change devices due to damage, remaining installment payments will be fully exempted.

The Ministry of National Defense decided to exempt affected families and reserve forces in the Jindo area from this year's mobilization drills and reserve forces training. Among those fulfilling military service obligations residing in Ansan and Jindo County, volunteers will be able to defer their enlistment dates until the special disaster area declaration is lifted.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will extend the deadline for or defer collection of local taxes for affected families. Those who shipped vehicles or equipment on the Sewol will be exempted from acquisition tax, registration and license tax, and automobile tax.

The National Tax Service will also extend the deadline for national tax reporting and payment for victims and affected families. The value-added tax reporting and payment deadline for Ansan and Jindo County, designated as special disaster areas, has been automatically extended until July 25.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor will request workplaces to allow affected families to use separate paid leave in addition to annual leave during periods when they cannot report to work due to accident recovery, and will take measures to ensure no disadvantages in unemployment benefits and vocational training.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will provide childcare and elderly care for affected families visiting the Jindo site or hospitals, as well as customized family counseling. The Ministry of Justice will provide legal consultation for resolving legal issues including insurance claims, damages claims, and inheritance.

Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, and Ansan City will handle funeral support for the deceased and operate joint memorial halls.