Government Support

Government Support, Benefits, Programs

2026 K-Brand Challenge: Nine Consumer Brands to Be Selected by August 7

작성자:
2026 K-Brand Challenge applications for Korean consumer brands

Korean consumer-goods SMEs with their own brands can apply for the 2026 K-Brand Challenge through August 7. The program now covers beauty, fashion and lifestyle brands and offers selected companies opportunities for pop-up stores, buyer and investor meetings, online marketing and links to follow-on export programs.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be Korean SMEs that own a brand in beauty, fashion or lifestyle products. They must either be domestic-market companies with no exports or early-stage exporters whose exports in the previous year were below USD 5 million. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate ownership of the brand and the product’s growth potential.

Application period and selection

  • Application period: July 27-August 7, 2026
  • Selection: three companies in each field, nine companies in total
  • Process: preliminary, main and final rounds
  • Application portal: GobizKorea

Benefits for selected companies

Selected firms may join domestic and overseas pop-up stores and meet foreign buyers and investors for export and investment discussions. Support also includes online marketing and priority consideration for export vouchers and overseas certification programs. Eligible startups may receive preferential treatment in the Initial Startup Package. The final scope of each follow-on benefit remains subject to the rules of that program.

How to strengthen an application

  1. Brand strength: define the target customer, differentiation, pricing and evidence of repeat demand.
  2. Global scalability: identify target countries, channels and any overseas response or export preparation.
  3. Product readiness: document production capacity, quality control, certification and trademarks.
  4. Pitch readiness: prepare a concise presentation and product demonstration for the later rounds.

Important cautions

The export threshold is based on the previous year, so companies should prepare export-performance evidence in advance. Recheck SME status, brand ownership and field eligibility in the latest notice. Submitting early through GobizKorea is advisable because last-minute traffic or document corrections may delay completion.

Official sources and verification date

This article was verified on August 1, 2026, using the Ministry of SMEs and Startups press release and the official program notice. Announcement No. 2026-471 and the latest GobizKorea instructions take precedence.

2026 Overseas Field Testing Support for Certified Products: Up to KRW 50 Million

작성자:
2026 overseas field testing support for certified products

Korean SMEs that already hold overseas product certification but need local performance evidence can apply for a new round of field-testing support. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL) are accepting additional applicants for the 2026 Overseas Field Testing Support Program for Certified Products. As of August 1, 2026, the official SME portal lists the program as open until recruitment is complete.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be SMEs under Korean law, hold a valid overseas certification for the proposed product, and plan to conduct field testing abroad. Eligible fields include eco-friendly and energy products, mobility, industrial machinery, and consumer goods. Companies should confirm that the certificate is valid and covers the exact product submitted.

What does the program support?

  • Overseas field testing and links to local testing partners
  • Performance verification and laboratory or on-site testing
  • Test reports and other evidence needed for overseas buyers or market entry
  • Government funding of up to KRW 50 million per company

Government funding may cover up to 70% of the total project cost. The participating company must contribute at least 30% of the total cost in cash. KRW 50 million is a ceiling, not a guaranteed award; the final amount depends on evaluation and the approved agreement.

What to prepare before applying

  1. Certification evidence: issuing body, certificate number, validity period, and covered product.
  2. Testing plan: target country, local institution, measurable performance indicators, schedule, and budget.
  3. Commercialization plan: explain how the results will support buyer discussions, distribution, regulatory steps, or exports.
  4. Cash contribution: confirm the company can fund at least 30% of the total project cost in cash.

How proposals are assessed

Evaluation focuses on overseas-market capability, suitability of the proposed test, the value and usability of the results, and the applicant’s ability and commitment to complete the project. A strong proposal connects the test items to specific regulatory or buyer requirements and provides a realistic post-test sales or export timeline.

Important cautions

Restrictions may apply to duplicate government support, tax arrears, subsidy sanctions, suspended or closed businesses, publicly listed wage arrears, recent unfair-trade findings, or an inability to obtain performance-guarantee insurance. Because the round may close as soon as enough companies are recruited, applicants should recheck the portal status and the latest attachment immediately before submission.

Official sources and verification date

This article was checked on August 1, 2026, using the SME24 official program portal and the KCL program notice. The latest official announcement and attachments take precedence at the time of application.

2026 Homeplus-Affected SME Emergency Loans: Up to KRW 1 Billion, Rolling Applications

작성자:
Emergency loans up to KRW 1 billion for Homeplus-affected SMEs

Korea has expanded its 2026 SME policy financing plan to include SMEs affected by Homeplus-related business disruption under the Temporary Management Difficulty Emergency Stabilization Fund. Eligible companies may apply for up to KRW 1 billion in working-capital financing through a direct loan. Rolling applications opened July 27 and continue until the allocated funds are exhausted.

Who is eligible?

The applicant must qualify as an SME under Article 2 of Korea’s Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises, have temporary management difficulty caused by Homeplus-related damage, and show a reasonable prospect of business normalization. The usual requirement to demonstrate at least a 10% decline in sales or operating profit does not apply to Homeplus-affected SMEs.

The notice does not provide one universal evidence list for every form of damage. Companies should confirm the required proof of transactions, unpaid receivables, settlement delays, or other losses with the responsible KOSME regional office before applying.

Loan terms

  • Loan limit: up to KRW 1 billion per company and KRW 1.5 billion over three years
  • Use of funds: working capital needed to resolve the management difficulty and normalize operations
  • Term: up to five years, including a grace period of up to two years
  • Interest rate: the variable SME policy-fund base rate
  • Financing method: direct loan from the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency

The ordinary temporary-management-difficulty rate adds 0.5 percentage points to the policy-fund base rate. Homeplus-affected SMEs receive the base rate without that additional spread.

Special treatment for affected SMEs

  • Rolling applications rather than only the standard monthly window
  • Waiver of the policy-priority review before receiving an opportunity to submit a financing application
  • Exemption from the usual 10% sales or operating-profit decline test
  • Applications from July 27 until the relevant budget is exhausted

How to apply

Apply online through the KOSME digital branch. The process includes information-consent and company-data submission, financing documents, company assessment, a financing decision, and direct disbursement. KOSME reviews technology and business viability, growth prospects, management capability, financial condition, repayment ability, and the proposed use of funds. Approval may be denied or the requested amount may be reduced.

Important cautions

  • Businesses that are closed or suspended, have tax arrears, or have registered credit events such as delinquency, default, rehabilitation, or bankruptcy are generally restricted.
  • Excluded industries and businesses classified as small merchants under the separate small-business framework are generally ineligible.
  • False information may result in a one-year restriction on policy-fund applications.
  • Funds must be used for the approved working-capital purpose. Misuse may trigger early recovery and future financing restrictions.
  • The application window can close immediately when the allocated funds are exhausted.

Practical tip

Prepare records that connect the Homeplus relationship to the financing need, such as contracts, transaction statements, tax invoices, account records, unpaid receivables, and cash-flow projections. The decline test is waived, but the company must still substantiate the damage and the amount needed for normalization.

This article summarizes the official amended notice for general information. Eligibility and the approved amount depend on KOSME’s document and company assessment.

Official sources and verification date

2026 Korea Restartup Awards: 12 Ministerial Commendations, Apply by August 26

작성자:
2026 Korea Restartup Awards with 12 ministerial commendations

Applications are open for Korea’s 2026 Restartup Activation Awards, which recognize successful restartup founders and people who have contributed to the restartup ecosystem. The program will present 12 Ministerial Commendations, and applications close at 4:00 p.m. KST on August 26, 2026.

Who is eligible?

  • Restartup founders: representatives of restartup companies that have contributed to restartup activity and the national economy. The company must be no more than seven years old as of the announcement date.
  • Restartup support professionals: employees of support organizations and other individuals with documented contributions in founder discovery, support, research, policy development, investment, or ecosystem building.

Founders may apply directly or be recommended by a government body, local authority, public institution, university, VC, AC, or another eligible support organization. Applicants in the support category need a recommendation letter from the head or representative of their organization. Applicants may not enter both categories.

Award scale and additional benefits

  • Restartup founder category: 8 Ministerial Commendations
  • Restartup support category: 4 Ministerial Commendations
  • Total: 12 commendations from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Award recipients may receive an exemption from the document review and three additional points in the presentation review when applying for commercialization support under the 2027 Restartup Success Package. These benefits do not apply if the recipient fails the 2027 eligibility requirements or the responsible-management assessment. Preferential consideration for the Korea Technology Finance Corporation’s restart support guarantee is also planned.

Application period and method

The application window runs from 5:30 p.m. KST on July 27 through 4:00 p.m. KST on August 26, 2026. Applications must be submitted online through K-Startup. On the portal, follow Business Application Management, Business Application, Education and Event Application, Event, and then Search and Apply.

Required materials include the award application, statement of merit, and personal or company information consent forms. Applicants must use the supplied templates without altering their format. The attachment limit is 50 MB.

How selection works

The process consists of eligibility and document review, comprehensive review, on-site verification, merit review, and final notice. On-site verification applies only to the restartup founder category. The comprehensive review is expected to select about 18 candidates, roughly 1.5 times the final award count.

In the founder category, eligible businesses may receive two points each for disability-owned or disability-employing status, women-owned status, and having headquarters outside Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. The combined bonus is capped at five points.

Important cautions

  • Founder applicants undergo a responsible-management assessment covering matters such as fraudulent accounting, intentional default, and unfair dismissal in the previous business.
  • Applicants may be restricted because of pending or recent disciplinary action, reinstatement after removal from office, personnel action following an audit or public controversy, or a recent job-related warning.
  • Other exclusions under national award rules, public verification, or the merit committee also apply.
  • As a rule, a person who received another ministerial commendation within the previous two years is restricted.
  • A founder applicant who cannot participate in the required on-site verification may be removed from the merit review.
  • Recipients must attend the Restart Challenge Day ceremony planned for the third week of November 2026.

Practical tip

Build the statement of merit around verifiable outcomes rather than a general career history. Connect restartup achievements to evidence such as employment, revenue, investment, innovation, or ecosystem impact. Applicants needing an institutional recommendation should secure the official letter well before the deadline.

This article summarizes the official notice for general information. Confirm the final eligibility rules, required documents, and templates on K-Startup before submitting an application.

Official sources and verification date

2026 Jangseong Smart Machinery and Electronics Support: Up to KRW 40 Million, Apply by August 19

작성자:
Jangseong Smart Machinery and Electronics support up to KRW 40 million

Small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Jangseong County may apply for up to KRW 40 million through the third round of the 2026 Jangseong Smart Machinery and Electronics Industry Support Program. The program covers consulting, technical guidance, prototyping, certification, technology transfer, and market-access activities. Applications close at 6:00 p.m. KST on August 19, 2026.

Who is eligible?

An applicant must be an SME with at least one headquarters, branch, factory, or corporate research institute located in Jangseong County as of the notice date. It must operate in, or be connected to, machinery, electronics, smart agriculture, or food-related industries.

Companies located in one of four designated special support areas may apply for the broader package track:

  • Donghwa Agricultural Industrial Complex
  • Donghwa Electronics Agricultural Industrial Complex
  • Samgye Agricultural Industrial Complex
  • Wolpyeong Semi-Industrial Area

How much funding is available?

  • Business-awareness and commercialization track: KRW 10 million to KRW 30 million
  • Special-area package track: KRW 10 million to KRW 40 million
  • VAT: Paid separately by the participating company
  • Company contribution: At least 5% of the grant for companies with recent sales below KRW 1 billion, or at least 10% for companies with sales of KRW 1 billion or more

The final grant and number of supported activities may be adjusted through the evaluation. Companies must generally pay the project cost and VAT first, submit the final report, and receive the eligible grant amount afterward.

Available support

Business-awareness and commercialization track

  • Management consulting: up to KRW 3 million, mandatory
  • Technical guidance: up to KRW 3 million, mandatory
  • Prototype production or product enhancement: up to KRW 19 million
  • Market development: up to KRW 5 million

Special-area package track

  • Management consulting: up to KRW 3 million
  • Technical guidance: up to KRW 3 million
  • Testing and certification: up to KRW 4 million
  • Technology transfer: up to KRW 10 million
  • Prototype production: up to KRW 19 million
  • Market development: up to KRW 5 million

Eligible companies may combine programs into a customized sequence, such as consulting, technical guidance, prototype development, certification, and market access. Package-track applicants must also submit the required K-TOP Tech-Index files used for the Korea Technology Finance Corporation’s AI-based innovation-capability analysis.

Application period and process

The application period runs from July 27 through 6:00 p.m. KST on August 19, 2026. Applications are submitted online through the SMTECH Regional Project Management System.

  1. Open the SMTECH Regional Project Management System.
  2. Select the third-round Jangseong Smart Machinery and Electronics notice.
  3. Complete the application and business plan.
  4. Upload consent forms, eligibility confirmation, and the duplicate-funding pledge.
  5. Attach the business registration, recent financial statements, employee-insurance list, and national and local tax certificates.
  6. Attach supplier registration documents, quotation, and comparison quotation.
  7. Complete the final submission before the deadline.

Selection process

JNETP conducts an eligibility review, an on-site assessment, and an in-person presentation evaluation. The scoring framework assigns 40 points to the need for support, 35 points to the validity of the proposed work, and 25 points to expected outcomes. Applicants should clearly connect the current business challenge, proposed scope, schedule, budget, commercialization potential, and expected employment or sales impact.

Exclusion conditions

An application may be excluded when it duplicates a previously supported project, a company or project manager is currently restricted from national R&D participation, or the applicant is bankrupt, tax-delinquent, registered as a delinquent debtor, or undergoing a newly initiated bankruptcy or rehabilitation process.

Other exclusions include a debt ratio of at least 1,000% for two consecutive fiscal years, full capital impairment, a disclaimed or adverse audit opinion, and false or manipulated application materials. The official notice provides limited exceptions for certain rehabilitation, restart-support, young-company, and industrial-crisis cases.

Contact information

  • Wooseok Noh, Jeonnam Technopark: +82-61-395-3184, nws@jntp.or.kr
  • Songa Yoon, Jeonnam Technopark: +82-61-395-3172, 1239ysa@jntp.or.kr
  • SMTECH system support: SME Integrated Call Center, 1357 within Korea

Important cautions

Funding is not available when the objective and content are identical or substantially similar to a previously supported project. Duplicate funding discovered after selection may lead to agreement termination, full repayment, additional penalties, or restrictions on future government support. A company that abandons the project without sufficient grounds may also face limits in a later application round.

Practical application tip

First confirm whether the company belongs in the general commercialization track or the special-area package track. Then build one practical project sequence from the current problem through consulting, technical guidance, prototyping, certification, and market access. Match each step with a deliverable, quotation, timetable, and measurable business result. Submit early because the official notice warns that the application system may become congested near the deadline.

This article is an English-language summary of the official Korean notice and does not guarantee selection or funding. Applicants should rely on the latest official notice for eligibility, contribution requirements, documents, and exceptions.

Official sources and verification date

2026 Ulsan Regional Business Growth Ladder: Up to KRW 11 Million, Apply by August 12

작성자:
Ulsan Business Growth Ladder support up to KRW 11 million

Ulsan-based small and medium-sized enterprises can now apply for the fourth round of the 2026 Ulsan Regional Business Growth Ladder Support Program. The program helps eligible companies pay for consulting, prototyping, intellectual-property work, certification, design, marketing, and other commercialization activities. Applications must be submitted online by 6:00 p.m. KST on August 12, 2026.

Who can apply?

In general, an applicant must be an SME whose registered headquarters is in Ulsan, operates in one of Ulsan’s designated key industries, and has at least five regular employees as of the application date. The relevant industries include automotive mobility, shipbuilding mobility, and manufacturing materials and components.

A branch, factory, or research center in Ulsan is normally not enough if the company’s headquarters is located elsewhere. Limited exceptions may apply to companies designated under supra-regional, regional innovation leader, or prospective R&D programs.

  • POST-BI track: Companies located in a qualifying public or innovation institution in Ulsan, with average annual sales below KRW 5 billion over the last three years.
  • Early-stage company track: Companies with average annual sales below KRW 5 billion over the last three years and an innovation-index score below 30 under the notice’s criteria.

How much support is available?

  • POST-BI companies: approximately one company, up to KRW 11 million per company
  • Early-stage companies: approximately two companies, up to KRW 10 million per company
  • Applicant cash contribution: at least 10% of the supply value remaining after the government grant
  • VAT: paid separately by the applicant

The notice also states that total support per company is capped at KRW 50 million when other Regional Specialized Project support is included. The final approved amount may be adjusted through evaluation.

Available support programs

Companies may apply for consulting, PRE-R&D, or POST-R&D support. Consulting and eligible subprograms may be combined, but PRE-R&D and POST-R&D generally cannot be requested together.

  • Consulting: Business-model strategy, productivity, ESG management, R&D project planning, technical guidance, process improvement, market research, and export strategy
  • PRE-R&D: Technology transfer, prototype production, equipment use, patent filing, and certification
  • POST-R&D: Product enhancement, design, marketing, export-product shipping, and interpretation or translation

Program reference rates range from KRW 4 million to KRW 50 million, but each selected company remains subject to the applicable track limit in this fourth-round call. Routine equipment replacement, purchases of capital assets, mass production, and mass-production molds are among the items not supported.

Application period and process

The application window runs from 9:00 a.m. KST on July 24 through 6:00 p.m. KST on August 12, 2026. Applicants must use the Regional Project Management System, select the Ulsan notice, upload the required forms and evidence, and complete the final submission before the deadline. Late or incomplete submissions are not accepted.

  1. Create an account on the Regional Project Management System (RMS).
  2. Register the company under the Ulsan region so the Ulsan call is visible.
  3. Select the fourth-round Growth Ladder notice.
  4. Upload the application, business plan, SME certificate, business registration, employee-insurance records, financial statements, quotation, and other required evidence.
  5. Confirm that the application shows a final-submission status before 6:00 p.m. KST on August 12.

How applications are evaluated

The process consists of an eligibility review, selection evaluation, and result notification. The evaluation allocates 40 points to the need for support, 35 points to the validity of the proposed plan, and 25 points to expected outcomes. Applicants should clearly explain their current business or technical challenge, the scope and schedule of the work, the reasonableness of the budget, and the likely commercialization, employment, or sales impact.

Who may be excluded?

Companies may be excluded for bankruptcy, suspension or closure, tax delinquency, registration as a delinquent debtor, pending bankruptcy or rehabilitation proceedings, full capital impairment, a debt ratio of at least 1,000%, or sanctions under another government-support program. Some exceptions are listed in the official notice. Duplicate funding is also prohibited when another government or local-government program supports the same product through an identical or substantially similar activity.

Contact information

  • Dayoung Lee, Ulsan Technopark: +82-52-219-8614, ekdud899@utp.or.kr
  • Junhyeong Park, Ulsan Technopark: +82-52-219-8617, kpe3839@utp.or.kr
  • RMS account and supplier registration support: SME Integrated Call Center, 1357 within Korea

Important cautions

One table in the official PDF appears to show November 30, 2025 as the support end date, while the 2026 implementation schedule indicates support from the agreement date through November 30. Selected companies should confirm the exact agreement and deliverable deadlines directly with Ulsan Technopark. Application statements must also match the supporting documents, and missing mandatory files can make an application ineligible.

Practical application tip

First determine whether the company belongs in the POST-BI or early-stage track. Then connect the requested program to a specific operational problem and measurable result. A concise narrative linking the problem, proposed work, timetable, quotation, and expected sales or employment impact will align naturally with the evaluation criteria.

This article is a plain-language summary of the official Korean notice and does not guarantee selection or funding. Applicants should rely on the latest official notice and instructions from Ulsan Technopark.

Official sources and verification date

2026 Incheon Saeil Women’s Internship: Up to KRW 4 Million for Employers

작성자:
Incheon Saeil Women's Internship support: employers can receive up to KRW 4 million and interns KRW 600,000

Employers in Incheon may receive up to KRW 4 million when they hire an eligible woman through the 2026 Saeil Women’s Internship Program. The intern may also receive KRW 600,000 after the employment-retention requirement is met.

The program is operated by the Bupyeong Women’s Reemployment Center under the Incheon Foundation for Women and Family. It is designed to help women returning to the workforce gain practical experience and remain in stable employment.

The posted application window runs from January 12 through September 30, 2026. However, recruitment may close earlier when the program budget is exhausted. Employers should confirm availability with the center before finalizing a hire.

How much support is available?

The employer subsidy is paid in stages rather than as a single lump sum.

  • Internship hiring subsidy: KRW 800,000 per month for three months, totaling KRW 2.4 million for the employer.
  • First employment-retention payment: KRW 800,000 for the employer when the intern is retained in regular or ongoing employment for at least six months after the internship. The intern receives KRW 600,000 at this stage.
  • Second employment-retention payment: An additional KRW 800,000 for the employer after 12 months of continued employment.

An employer that satisfies every stage may receive a total of KRW 4 million. The intern may receive KRW 600,000. Each payment is subject to the applicable documentation and retention requirements.

Which employers are eligible?

  • The workplace must have at least five but fewer than 1,000 regular employees.
  • The workplace must be enrolled in Korea’s four major social insurance programs.
  • The employer must register the vacancy on Work24 and consent to sharing the job information with a Women’s Reemployment Center.
  • The employer generally must not have a record of employer-initiated dismissal during the three months before the internship start date.
  • For a workplace participating for the first time, the dismissal-history review period is one month.

A company with a previous Saeil internship record may participate again only after one year has passed since the earlier internship ended. The center makes the final eligibility determination.

Who can participate as an intern?

The participant must be an unemployed female job seeker registered on Work24 and linked to a Women’s Reemployment Center. The program primarily supports women whose careers have been interrupted or who otherwise need assistance returning to employment.

A job seeker may be introduced by the Bupyeong center. A person who applied independently may also be considered if the required center linkage is completed. Anyone who previously participated must wait one year after that internship ends before participating again.

Required working conditions

  • For full-time work of at least 35 hours per week, the wage must meet or exceed the applicable minimum wage.
  • For a part-time position of at least 20 but fewer than 35 hours per week, the wage must be at least 110% of the applicable minimum wage.
  • Priority matching may be available when the employer hires a woman from a vulnerable group.

The subsidy does not replace the employer’s obligations concerning wages, employment contracts, social insurance, and other labor standards.

How to apply

  1. Register the vacancy on Work24.
  2. Contact the Bupyeong Women’s Reemployment Center to confirm current funding and eligibility.
  3. Submit the employer participation documents and undergo the center’s review.
  4. Complete candidate matching and sign the internship agreement before the internship begins.
  5. Apply for the internship hiring subsidy after completing the required internship period.
  6. If the intern is retained, apply separately for the six-month and 12-month retention payments.

Do not assume that a worker hired first can automatically be registered later. Employers should speak with the center before confirming the start date.

Application period and contact

  • Posted application period: January 12–September 30, 2026
  • Closing condition: May close early when the budget is exhausted
  • Operating organization: Bupyeong Women’s Reemployment Center, Incheon Foundation for Women and Family
  • Telephone: 032-511-3161
  • Selection: The BizOK notice lists 54 participating companies, selected through review

Official information

The application notice and forms are available through the official Incheon BizOK announcement. The detailed subsidy schedule and eligibility conditions are published by the Incheon Foundation for Women and Family. General information is available from the official Women’s Reemployment Center portal.

Before applying

Confirm the employee count, social-insurance enrollment, dismissal history, working hours, wage level, and prior participation. Because funding is limited, call the Bupyeong center first to check whether applications are still being accepted.

This article is based on official information checked on July 29, 2026. Program funding, required documents, and detailed eligibility rules may change. Confirm the latest requirements with the operating center before hiring or applying.

Free 2026 Workplace Culture Consulting for Family-Friendly Certified Employers

작성자:
Free workplace culture consulting for family-friendly certified employers

Organizations that already hold Korea’s Family-Friendly Certification but need better employee participation or stronger workplace practices can apply for the 2026 Workplace Culture Improvement Consulting Program. The service is fully funded and tailored to each employer, covering everything from the introduction of family-friendly policies to care support, gender equality, and ESG-linked workplace culture.

2026 Workplace Culture Consulting at a Glance

Item Details
Eligible applicants Family-Friendly Certified companies and institutions seeking to review their policies or improve workplace culture
Administration Supported and supervised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family; operated by the Family-Friendly Support Center at the Korean Institute for Healthy Family
Benefits Fully funded, customized on-site consulting, a final report, and follow-up support
Application and service period May through August 2026; applications may close early when the budget is exhausted
How to apply Submit company information and current family-friendly policy details through the Workplace Culture Improvement Consulting page on the Family-Friendly Support Program website
Contact Family-Friendly Support Center: 02-3479-7673 or 02-3479-7676

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to companies and institutions that have already earned Family-Friendly Certification. It is intended for employers that want to review their current family-friendly policies, increase employee participation, or create a more supportive organizational culture.

Priority is given to small and medium-sized enterprises located outside the Seoul metropolitan area. An eligible SME that completes the consulting program may receive three additional points during its recertification assessment.

What Support Is Available?

Consulting is divided into basic, advanced, and topic-specific modules according to the organization’s current conditions and improvement goals.

  • Basic Module A: Helps an employer introduce and establish suitable family-friendly policies. It generally includes at least two visits over approximately three weeks.
  • Advanced Module B: Focuses on increasing policy use and improving family-friendly workplace culture. It generally includes at least four visits over approximately eight weeks.
  • Topic Module: Addresses one of three themes—care-friendly workplaces, gender-equal workplaces, or family-friendly ESG. It generally includes at least four visits over approximately eight weeks.

The consulting process may include a review of current practices, employee surveys and interviews, comparisons with successful cases, policy design, and monitoring. After completion, the organization receives a final report. Follow-up support may include checking whether recommended policies were implemented and connecting the employer with family-friendly workplace education and professional networks.

How to Apply and What Happens Next

  1. Sign in to the Family-Friendly Support Program website using a corporate member account.
  2. Open the Workplace Culture Improvement Consulting application page and enter the organization’s information and current family-friendly policies.
  3. Submit the application. The program operator will review it and select participating companies and institutions.
  4. Selected applicants will be notified individually and will coordinate the schedule and consulting plan with an assigned consultant.
  5. The consultant will analyze current conditions, recommend or design policies, and provide a final report and follow-up support.

Eligibility Limits and Important Conditions

  • Companies and institutions that have not yet received Family-Friendly Certification are not eligible for this workplace culture consulting program.
  • Because priority is given to SMEs outside the Seoul metropolitan area, submitting an application does not guarantee selection.
  • The stated application and service period runs through August, but recruitment may close earlier if the available budget is exhausted.
  • The selected module and number of visits will be determined in consultation with the applicant based on its current practices and goals.

Important Note About the Deadline

The latest notice from the program operator takes precedence over simplified deadline listings shown on other websites. The official guidance states that applications and consulting are scheduled from May through August 2026 and may close early when the budget is exhausted. Check the official application page before preparing a submission.

Tips Before Applying

Prepare a one-page summary of your organization’s flexible-work arrangements, maternity and parental support, caregiving assistance, gender-equality policies, and actual employee participation. Identifying one or two policies that need improvement and collecting employee feedback in advance can help the consultant set more practical goals.

Official Sources and Verification Date

This English guide summarizes information published by the official program operators. Availability may change if the budget is exhausted or the operating schedule is revised. Check the latest official notice before applying.

2026 Ulju Small Business Support: Up to KRW 3 Million for Storefronts and Digital Equipment

작성자:
Ulju County small business support for storefront improvements and digital equipment

Small businesses that have operated in Ulju County for at least six months may apply for financial support to improve storefronts or purchase digital equipment. The subsidy covers up to 90% of the supply price, with a maximum grant of KRW 3 million per business. Applications must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. on August 7, 2026.

Program at a Glance

Item Details
Administrators Ulju County and the Ulsan Small Business Happiness Dream Center
Expected recipients Approximately 71 businesses, subject to available funding
Maximum subsidy Up to 90% of the supply price, capped at KRW 3 million per business
Applicant contribution At least 10% of the supply price, plus VAT, customs duties, and any amount above the subsidy limit
Application period July 27 through 6:00 p.m. on August 7, 2026
Online application Ulsan Small Business Happiness Dream Center website
In-person application August 6–7 only for applicants unable to apply online, at Ulju County Office or the Happiness Dream Center
Selection announcement Expected August 21, 2026, through the center website and text message
Contact Ulsan Small Business Happiness Dream Center: 052-283-8390

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must have a registered business location in Ulju County and must have operated continuously for at least six months as of the application deadline. The opening date shown on the business registration certificate must be February 8, 2026, or earlier.

The business must also meet Korea’s small-business standards. Retail, wholesale, restaurant, lodging, and service businesses must have fewer than five regular employees. Mining, manufacturing, construction, and transportation businesses must have fewer than ten regular employees.

The address on the business registration certificate must match the location where the improvements will be made. If a residence and business share the same property, the commercial area must be physically separated from the living area.

What Expenses Are Covered?

Both storefront improvements and eligible digital equipment are subsidized at up to 90% of the supply price, excluding VAT, with a maximum grant of KRW 3 million. The business owner must pay at least 10% of the supply price, all VAT, and any cost exceeding the grant ceiling.

Storefront and Facility Improvements

  • Outdoor signs, including LED, flex-face, channel-letter, projecting, and freestanding signs
  • Interior work such as wallpaper, flooring, lighting, awnings, window frames, and window film
  • Fixed product shelves and display fixtures
  • Non-movable facilities and equipment directly required for business, manufacturing, or sales
  • Desks and chairs used inside private educational institutes

Digital Equipment

  • POS terminals and POS software
  • Self-service payment systems, including accessible kiosks
  • Table-order systems
  • Serving robots

For example, if eligible equipment has a supply price of KRW 3 million and VAT of KRW 300,000, the subsidy would be KRW 2.7 million. The owner would pay the remaining KRW 300,000 of the supply price plus KRW 300,000 in VAT. If the supply price is KRW 4 million, 90% would be KRW 3.6 million, but the grant would still be capped at KRW 3 million.

How to Apply

Online applications are accepted from July 27 until 6:00 p.m. on August 7, 2026. After registering on the Happiness Dream Center website, navigate to the online application section for the business environment improvement program and upload the application, supporting documents, and photographs of the business interior and exterior.

In-person applications are available only to applicants who cannot apply online. They will be accepted on August 6 and 7 at the first floor of Ulju County Office or at the Ulsan Small Business Happiness Dream Center. Offices close for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. The business owner must visit in person with identification; proxy and group submissions are not accepted.

Visit the Ulsan Small Business Happiness Dream Center application website

Documents to Prepare

  • Eligibility checklist and program application
  • Consent forms for the collection, use, and sharing of personal and business information
  • Consent for use of the integrated SME support management system
  • Business registration certificate
  • Lease agreement for rented premises
  • Local tax payment certificate valid beyond the application deadline
  • Sales documentation for 2025 and the first half of 2026
  • Evidence of eligibility for priority points, if applicable
  • Small Business Confirmation Certificate for incorporated businesses

Business registration and local tax certificates must have been issued on or after July 20, 2026. Taxable businesses should prepare a VAT taxable sales certificate, while tax-exempt businesses should provide a tax-exempt business income certificate. Missing or late documents may result in disqualification.

Selection Criteria and Priority Points

Approximately 71 businesses are expected to be selected. Applicants will be scored based on operating history, sales, and the scale of their leased premises. Ties will be resolved by longer operating history, lower sales, previous support history, and lower lease deposits, in that order.

Additional points may be available to applicants who completed an eligible Happiness Dream Center academy or consulting program between August 8, 2025, and August 7, 2026; members of designated socially vulnerable groups; and people who moved to Ulju County by February 8, 2026, and have lived there continuously for at least six months by the deadline.

Who Cannot Apply?

  • Businesses that are closed, suspended, or not actually operating
  • Company-owned or franchised outlets of large corporate franchises
  • Golf courses, entertainment bars, and other excluded luxury or entertainment businesses
  • Businesses with overdue local taxes
  • Businesses that have received or are receiving specified Ulsan management-environment support since 2024
  • Businesses that have received or are receiving specified restaurant sanitation support since 2025
  • Businesses with no recent sales filing or reported sales of zero
  • Home-based, vehicle-based, or other businesses without an eligible fixed commercial location
  • Applicants requesting items directly related to goods they themselves sell or manufacture
  • Businesses unable to pay through an account or credit card in the owner’s name
  • Businesses planning to change their industry, representative, or move outside Ulju County
  • Applicants using false or fraudulent information

Important Restrictions

Do not begin construction or purchase digital equipment before receiving the official selection notice. Easily movable appliances, furniture, fixtures, used goods, and rental fees are not covered. Examples of excluded items include computers, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, air purifiers, sofas, and digital signage. Unauthorized inflatable or portable signs are also excluded.

Each owner may apply for only one business location, even if they operate several businesses. Duplicate online and offline applications are prohibited. After selection, payments must be made by bank transfer or credit or debit card in the representative’s name. Cash payments and peer-to-peer transfers such as KakaoPay remittances are not accepted.

Practical Application Tips

Application traffic may be heavy near the deadline. Prepare the business registration certificate, local tax payment certificate, sales records, and clear photographs early. Keep detailed “before” photographs of the storefront, sign, and interior because they may also be required during reimbursement. Ask vendors to separate the supply price from VAT on quotations, and confirm item eligibility with the Happiness Dream Center before making commitments.

Official Sources and Verification Date

This English-language guide summarizes the official second-round announcement. Eligibility and reimbursable amounts remain subject to review and final settlement. Applicants should verify the official notice and application page before submitting documents or making purchases.

2026 Youth Culture and Arts Pass: Make Your First Booking by July 31

작성자:
2026 Youth Culture and Arts Pass first-booking deadline

If you received the 2026 Youth Culture and Arts Pass but have not used it, you must complete your first booking by July 31. If your recorded spending remains at zero through July 31, the subsidy will be withdrawn and you will not be able to reapply. New applications closed on June 30, so this deadline matters specifically to pass holders who have not yet made a purchase.

Key Facts

  • First-booking deadline: July 31, 2026
  • Withdrawal rule: The subsidy is recovered if no spending is recorded by the deadline
  • Support amount: KRW 150,000 in the Seoul metropolitan area and KRW 200,000 elsewhere
  • Final use deadline: The event or screening date must be no later than December 31, 2026
  • Important: A pass withdrawn for non-use cannot be requested again

Who Needs to Check the July 31 Deadline?

The deadline applies directly to people who received a 2026 Youth Culture and Arts Pass but have not spent any of the subsidy. The program was open to Korean citizens born between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007—young adults aged 19 or 20—with support planned for approximately 280,000 people.

The application period ran from February 25 through June 30, 2026, so new applications are no longer accepted. Existing pass holders can check issuance status, remaining credit, and transaction history through My Page on the official website.

Program Operator and Benefits

The Youth Culture and Arts Pass is administered by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Arts Council Korea. It is not issued as cash or a physical card. Instead, the credit is used for online bookings of eligible performances, exhibitions, and films through participating ticket platforms.

Region Support Area
Seoul metropolitan area KRW 150,000 Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon
Other regions KRW 200,000 Regions with secured local-government funding

The applicable region is based on the registered residential address at the time of application. Support is generally available once in a lifetime, and unused credit cannot be converted to cash.

What Must You Do by July 31?

The official rule is based on an actual paid booking, not merely signing in or saving an event to a wish list. Select an eligible event and complete an online booking using the pass credit by July 31. The event itself may take place later, but its date cannot be after December 31, 2026.

  1. Sign in to the official Youth Culture and Arts Pass website.
  2. Check your issuance status, balance, and previous spending in My Page.
  3. Create or verify your account with a participating ticket platform.
  4. Choose an eligible performance, exhibition, or film.
  5. Apply the Youth Culture and Arts Pass credit and complete payment by July 31.
  6. Confirm that the booking appears in your account and that the pass balance has changed.

Participating Platforms and Eligible Activities

Participating platforms listed for 2026 include NOL Ticket, Ticketlink, YES24 Ticket, Melon Ticket, Megabox, Lotte Cinema, and CGV. Purchases must be made through a participating website or mobile app; telephone and walk-in purchases are not supported.

  • Performances: Plays, musicals, classical music, opera, ballet, dance, traditional Korean music, concerts, and music festivals
  • Exhibitions: Fine art, crafts, animation, and character exhibitions
  • Films: Titles registered with a Korean Film Council code
  • Books: The official website indicated that book support may be added after August 2026; check later announcements for the launch date and participating vendors

Film use is limited by region: up to two screenings for residents of the Seoul metropolitan area and up to four screenings for residents elsewhere. If a ticket costs more than the remaining subsidy, the user may pay the difference using methods supported by the ticket platform.

Restrictions

  • People outside the 2006–2007 birth-year requirement are not eligible for the 2026 program.
  • People who actually spent 2025 pass credit were excluded from the 2026 application. Those with no 2025 spending were permitted to apply during the application period.
  • New applications cannot be submitted after the June 30 deadline.
  • Talk concerts, fan meetings, lectures, religious events, children’s or family programs, non-music festivals, and certain events are excluded.
  • Films without a Korean Film Council registration code are not eligible.
  • Account transfers, sales, use by another person, and resale or transfer of purchased tickets are prohibited.

Customer Support

For individual questions about issuance, withdrawal of unused credit, or eligible events, contact the Youth Culture and Arts Pass Customer Support Center at 1577-1968. Standard hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, excluding public holidays, with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m. The official website also provides one-to-one inquiries and frequently asked questions.

Important Reminders

  • July 31 is the booking deadline used to determine first use; it is not the final event-attendance date.
  • If no spending is recorded by July 31, the credit is withdrawn and cannot be requested again.
  • Changing a performance date generally requires cancellation and a new purchase through the ticket platform.
  • Cancellation fees may apply. If a last-minute cancellation returns your spending to zero, confirm your status with customer support.
  • Identification may be required when collecting a ticket, and collection by another person is not allowed.
  • Remaining credit must be used for events held by December 31, 2026. Unused funds are returned to the national and local governments.

Official Sources

This article provides general information based on official materials. Individual issuance status, regional budgets, eligible events, and cancellation results may differ. Confirm your final status through My Page and the participating platform’s checkout screen.