Government Support

Government Support, Benefits, Programs

Multi-Child Family Highway Toll Discount: 10% for Two Children, 20% for Three or More

작성자:
Highway toll discount for families with multiple children

South Korea introduced a weekend and public-holiday highway toll discount for families with multiple children on July 28, 2026. Households with at least three minor children can receive a 20% discount. Households with two minor children qualify for a 10% discount beginning August 22, following completion of the required system setup.

Who Qualifies and How Much Is the Discount?

  • Three or more minor children: 20% off weekend and public-holiday tolls from July 28, 2026
  • Two minor children: 10% off weekend and public-holiday tolls from August 22, 2026
  • Program period: A three-year pilot scheduled to run through August 21, 2029

The discount applies only to expressways operated by the Korea Expressway Corporation. It does not apply to privately operated expressways or trips that combine a Korea Expressway Corporation section with a private expressway. Check your planned route before departure.

How to Apply and Use the Benefit

Applications are accepted through the Korea Expressway Corporation toll website and mobile app, as well as at expressway toll offices. Households with two minor children can apply beginning August 10. Applicants visiting a toll office should bring documents that verify their family relationship.

To receive the discount, insert the Hi-Pass card registered during the application into the vehicle’s onboard unit and use a Hi-Pass lane. When the vehicle passes the exit toll point, location data from the pre-registered mobile phone is used to confirm that at least one parent is in the vehicle.

Drivers using a prepaid Hi-Pass card pay the standard toll first and receive the discount amount later through the registered refund account. Drivers using a postpaid Hi-Pass card are billed the discounted amount directly.

Three Checks Before You Leave

  1. Confirm the application opening date and discount start date that apply to your number of minor children.
  2. Make sure the registered Hi-Pass card is inserted in the vehicle’s onboard unit.
  3. Check whether any part of your route uses a privately operated expressway.

The pilot program is designed to reduce weekend travel costs for families raising multiple children. Detailed application instructions and required documents are available through the Korea Expressway Corporation’s toll service website and customer service channels.

Official Source

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Policy Briefing, “Weekend and Public-Holiday Highway Toll Discounts for Multi-Child Families Begin July 28,” published July 21, 2026.

2026 Resident Registration Survey: Complete It in Government24 by September 7

작성자:
2026 resident registration survey in the Government24 mobile app

South Korea’s 2026 Resident Registration Fact Survey is underway. The nationwide survey checks whether each person’s registered address matches their actual residence. During the online participation period, households can respond using the Government24 mobile app.

Mobile participation is available through midnight on September 7, 2026. One household member may respond on behalf of everyone registered at the same address, reducing the need for a home visit. However, households that include a priority verification subject may still receive an in-person visit even after completing the mobile survey.

2026 Survey Schedule

  • Overall survey: July 20–December 14, 2026
  • Mobile survey: 9:00 a.m. on July 20 through midnight on September 7
  • In-person survey: September 8–November 9
  • Participants: Everyone registered as a resident in South Korea
  • Administrators: Ministry of the Interior and Safety and local governments
  • Participation method: Government24 smartphone app
  • Household response: One member may respond for the entire household at the same address

This is an administrative survey, not a cash-benefit or rewards program. Its main convenience is allowing eligible households to verify information by smartphone before an investigator visits.

Why Is the Survey Conducted?

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety conducts the survey annually to improve the accuracy of resident registration records. The results support public administration, including welfare services and disaster management.

If the survey identifies information that may need correction—for example, a person who moved without filing a change of address or a deceased person whose registration remains active—the local government can verify the circumstances and correct the record after the required notice procedures.

Who Can Participate Online?

Everyone with a resident registration record is included in the survey. One registered member of a household may submit a mobile response for the entire household.

Where Must You Participate?

You must complete the mobile survey at your registered address. The app uses smartphone location data to compare your current location with your registered residence. Participation may fail if you try to submit from another location.

Can You Use a Computer?

No. Mobile participation requires location verification and is available only through the Government24 smartphone app, not the Government24 website on a computer.

How to Participate in the Government24 App

  1. Update the Government24 app to the latest version.
  2. Allow the app to access your location in the phone’s settings.
  3. Open Government24 while you are at your registered residence.
  4. Enter the dedicated mobile Resident Registration Fact Survey screen.
  5. Answer the questions about your household and actual residence.
  6. Confirm on the final screen that your response was submitted.

The 2026 system uses TMAP location services to display and verify a participant’s current location more accurately.

What You Need

  • A smartphone that can run the Government24 app
  • The latest version of the app
  • Location permission enabled for Government24
  • Access to the app while physically present at your registered address

The Ministry’s announcement does not require separate paper documents for mobile participation. Follow any additional official instructions displayed in the app.

If Mobile Participation Does Not Work

Common causes include trying to participate on a computer, using the app away from the registered address, blocking location access, or using an outdated app version. Update the app and check your location settings. Households that do not complete the mobile survey will be included in the in-person survey from September 8 through November 9.

Households Still Subject to a Visit

A home visit is still required if a household includes any of the following priority verification subjects:

  • A person aged 100 or older
  • A person whose residence has been unknown for at least five years
  • A person suspected to be deceased
  • A household at high risk of a welfare crisis
  • A school-age child with prolonged unexcused absence or who is not enrolled in school

Completing the Government24 response therefore does not automatically exempt every household from an in-person visit.

What Happens After a Visit?

If investigators cannot confirm actual residence or find information that differs from the resident registration record, a local-government official conducts additional checks. Necessary corrections may be made through official notice procedures between November 10 and December 7. The full survey is scheduled to conclude by December 14.

Contact Information

  • Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Resident Affairs Division: 044-205-3143
  • Government Civil Service Call Center: 110, toll-free, weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must every household member participate separately?

No. One person registered at the address can respond on behalf of the household.

Can I use the app away from my registered address?

No. The mobile survey uses location data to verify actual residence, so you must participate at the registered address.

What if I do not complete the mobile survey?

Your household becomes subject to an in-person survey between September 8 and November 9, 2026.

Does mobile participation always prevent a visit?

No. Households containing priority verification subjects will still be visited.

Is there a cash or point reward?

No. Official materials do not offer cash, points, or prizes. This is an administrative verification process.

Security Reminder

Do not enter passwords, financial information, or verification codes through unofficial links received by text message or messenger. Use the official survey screen inside the Government24 app that you installed directly. Confirm the submission-complete screen, and cooperate with a later visit if your household is in a priority group.

Official Sources

This article summarizes official information available on July 28, 2026. App screens, detailed procedures, and dates may change. Check the latest Government24 and Ministry notices before participating.

2026 Defense Startup Challenge: Up to KRW 100 Million for Commercialization

작성자:
2026 Defense Startup Challenge commercialization support

Technology startups interested in the defense sector can apply for the second 2026 Defense Startup Challenge. The program plans to select approximately 50 startups to work on collaboration projects proposed by the military and defense-industry customers. Selected companies may receive up to KRW 100 million per project for commercialization, along with follow-up support.

Program Overview

Program Second 2026 Defense Startup Challenge
Administrators Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development
Eligible applicants Generally, startups established within the past seven years; qualifying new-industry startups and SMEs may be eligible for up to ten years after establishment
Expected selection Approximately 50 startups
Support Up to KRW 100 million per project for commercialization required for collaboration with the military or a participating customer, plus possible follow-up support
Application period July 16 through 4:00 p.m. on August 4, 2026

What Is the Defense Startup Challenge?

This public-private open-innovation program connects military organizations and defense-industry customers seeking new technology with startups that can provide it. Applicants select a collaboration assignment from the official announcement and propose how their technology and business model can solve the stated need.

Who Can Apply?

  • A startup established within seven years of the announcement date
  • A startup or SME established within ten years if it operates in a qualifying new-industry field
  • A company capable of completing one of the collaboration assignments proposed by the military or participating customers

Applicants should confirm the exact establishment-date calculation, whether their field qualifies as a new industry, and which assignments they may enter by reviewing the official notice and individual assignment descriptions.

Available Support

Selected companies may receive commercialization funding of up to KRW 100 million per assignment to work with a military organization or defense-industry customer. The actual award depends on evaluation and the final agreement; selection does not guarantee the maximum amount. Successful collaboration may also lead to additional linked support.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted from July 16 until 4:00 p.m. on August 4, 2026, through the relevant announcement on the K-Startup portal.

  1. Sign in to K-Startup using the company representative’s account.
  2. Find the second 2026 Defense Startup Challenge announcement.
  3. Review the military and customer assignment descriptions and select the best match for your technology.
  4. Complete the business plan and upload all supporting documents.
  5. Before the deadline, confirm that submission is complete and every attachment opens correctly.

Documents to Prepare

  • A startup business plan using the form attached to the announcement
  • Documents confirming eligibility and the company’s establishment date
  • Consent forms and supporting evidence required in the online application

Technology requirements and evidence differ by assignment. Review both the assignment description and the online application manual.

Important Conditions

  • Companies that do not meet the establishment-age or new-industry requirements cannot apply.
  • The proposal should explain specifically how the company’s technology addresses the selected assignment.
  • KRW 100 million is the maximum per project, not a guaranteed payment.
  • Online traffic may be heavy near the deadline, so upload the plan and evidence early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a company apply if it is not already registered as a defense business?

Potentially. A startup that meets the establishment-age rules and has technology relevant to a listed assignment can review its eligibility. The official announcement controls the final decision.

How much funding is available?

Up to KRW 100 million per assignment. The final amount may change during evaluation and contracting.

Can a company apply to several assignments?

Check the official notice and K-Startup application screen for the rules on multiple applications. A focused proposal for the assignment with the strongest technical fit is generally more effective.

Application Tips

  • Organize the proposal around technical fit, demonstration feasibility, and commercialization for the selected assignment.
  • Confirm the company’s establishment age and new-industry status before applying.
  • Submit well before 4:00 p.m. on August 4.

Official Sources

This article provides general information. Eligibility, documents, and support terms may change. Confirm the latest official notice and K-Startup application screen before applying.