[Digital Today reporter Jin-ho Lee] Korea Post, under the Ministry of Science and ICT, will support applications for the government’s high oil price relief payment through post offices from April 27.

The high oil price relief payment is a government support programme aimed at easing the burden of household living costs caused by recent high oil prices and boosting local consumption. Korea Post will provide application services through counters at post offices nationwide, the Post Office Smart Banking app and the Post Office Savings website.

Customers applying for the payment through a post office must hold a post office debit card. Customers without a debit card can apply after obtaining one at a post office counter, on the Post Office Savings website or through the smart banking app.

Applications will be accepted in 2 rounds by eligibility group. Vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood benefit recipients, near-poverty households and single-parent families can apply first until May 8. Those who do not apply in the first round can also apply during the second round from May 18 to July 3. People in the bottom 70 percent by income should apply during the second round.

The payment can be used in the applicant’s address jurisdiction until August. Korea Post also urged caution over voice phishing related to applications that includes internet addresses and other details.

Korea Post President In-hwan Park (박인환) said, "We will actively provide support so that no one is left out of the benefits of policies to ease the burden of high oil prices by using the dense post office network." He said, "As a public financial institution, we will fulfil our responsibility so that the warmth of the policy can be delivered evenly to those who are digitally vulnerable."