Gangneung’s 100,000-Won Support Payment: Application Dates for the First Week—Check the Last Digit of Your Birth Year, Not the Day of the Week You Were Born

When you see the term ‘요일제’ (day-of-the-week system) in a public institution notice, it is easy to misunderstand it as meaning, “Do I need to apply on the day of the week I was born (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.)?” However, for the Gangneung City Livelihood Stability Support Funds, which begins acceptance on November 9, 2026, the criteria for the first week are based on the ‘last digit of your birth year,’ not the day of the week you were born. Similar to the public mask five-part system of 2020, the last digit of your birth year determines the date you are eligible to apply, so you only need to check your birth year, not your birthday.

Support Fund Overview: 100,000 KRW in Gangneung Pay for Every Citizen

Gangneung City is distributing livelihood stability support funds to all citizens to revitalize the local economy, which has been stifled by high inflation and high interest rates. Eligible recipients include citizens and permanent residents (F-5) and marriage migrants (F-6) who are registered as residents in Gangneung City as of September 30, 2026. Regardless of income, assets, or age, those meeting the criteria can receive 100,000 KRW per person in the form of ‘Gangneung Pay,’ the local currency ¹². The total budget is approximately 21.1 billion KRW ¹³².

Checking Application Dates for the First Week: Based on the Last Digit of Birth Year

To reduce congestion caused by a sudden surge of applicants, a ‘last digit of birth year day-of-the-week system’ will be applied starting November 9, the first week of acceptance. This criterion applies equally to the online application platform, the ‘Gangneung Pay App,’ and offline visit locations, ‘Eup/Myeon/Dong Administrative Welfare Centers (community centers)’ ³⁴.

Specifically, those born in 1983 have a birth year ending in ‘3,’ and those born in 1985 have a birth year ending in ‘5,’ so their eligible application days differ. ³⁴ The exact ‘Day-of-the-Week Assignment Table by Last Digit of Birth Year’ must be checked in the original payment plan notice posted on the Gangneung City Hall official website on October 19. ³

Application Schedule and Fund Charging Timing

If you apply during the first week, the support funds will be charged to your Gangneung Pay account the day after you apply. ³

Eligible Locations and Usage Deadline: Merchant Locations with Annual Sales Under 3 Billion KRW

The distributed support funds must be fully used by February 28, 2027. If the deadline passes, any unused balance will expire, and refunds or extensions are not possible. ³⁴

Eligible stores are ‘Gangneung Pay’ merchant locations located within Gangneung City with annual sales of 3 billion KRW or less. Use of the support funds is restricted at large supermarkets, online shopping malls, entertainment venues, and similar locations. ⁴ This is a condition designed to encourage spending in small local businesses.

How to Check Before Payment at a Store

The most reliable way to confirm if a nearby store accepts the support funds is to utilize information provided by Gangneung City Hall. ⁴

1. Check the Gangneung Pay App: You can search for nearby merchant locations using the ‘Find Payment Stores’ menu within the app. ⁴
2. Check Store Notices: Gangneung City has posted ‘Livelihood Stability Support Fund Accepted Store Notices’ on the city hall website, which merchants can print and display in their stores. ⁴ It is accurate to check if this notice is attached at the checkout counter or entrance.

Even stores that accept general Gangneung Pay payments may refuse transactions if they do not meet the criteria for using the livelihood stability support funds (annual sales of 3 billion KRW or less). ⁴ Therefore, in ambiguous cases, you should contact the store directly or check for the presence of specific guide stickers.

In conclusion, the first-week application dates for the Gangneung Livelihood Stability Support Fund are determined by the ‘last digit of your birth year,’ not the day of the week you were born. It is fastest to check the day-of-the-week assignments by number specified in the Gangneung City Hall notice from October 19 in advance and apply during the first week. Even if you miss the first week, you can apply without day-of-the-week restrictions until December 31, but you must remember that the full 100,000 KRW must be used at eligible merchant locations within the city with annual sales of 3 billion KRW or less before the deadline (February 28, 2027).