South Korean welfare accessibility for vulnerable groups

In South Korea, data reveals systemic barriers preventing vulnerable populations from accessing government-mandated welfare benefits and discounts.

In the telecommunications sector, approximately 2.1 million eligible individuals—including the elderly, low-income groups, and persons with disabilities—failed to receive fee discounts during the first half of 2026. This issue stems from a requirement for manual applications, which creates obstacles for those with limited digital literacy. The number of people missing these discounts has risen from 1.8 million in 2022, resulting in an estimated loss of 174.3 billion won.

Similarly, a health voucher program designed to support annual screenings for hypertension and diabetes among people with disabilities has seen monthly usage rates remain below 1% since its 2021 introduction. In August 2024, usage was recorded at just 0.42% within a specific pilot program. The program suffers from significant regional disparities, with some areas reporting zero users, and a passive administrative system that fails to actively identify and notify eligible recipients.