Naver Pay and Kakao Pay have launched application services for the "second-round high oil price relief fund". The companies are moving to expand use of the fund by strengthening convenience in the application process and in checking where it can be used, through links between their easy-payment platforms and map and messenger services.

Naver Pay and Kakao Pay said on May 18 that they had started application services for the second-round high oil price relief fund.

The second round is a policy intended to ease household burdens from prolonged high oil prices and covers 70 percent of the population. Applications run from May 18 to July 3.

Naver Pay linked Naver Search and map services to improve convenience in using the fund. Users can check eligibility and apply via an integrated guide page by searching Naver for "high oil price relief fund" or "Naver Pay".

The fund can be received as Npay points or money, or as a prepaid card called the "Npay Money Card". It can be used via Npay app QR payments and Samsung Pay, among others, and point-accumulation benefits for in-person payments will also remain.

On Naver Place and Naver Map, keyword searches such as "high oil price relief fund merchants" provide lists of stores where it can be used. Individual store pages also 표시 show whether the fund can be used to make it easier for users to check.

Kakao Pay highlighted a KakaoTalk-based application system. It enabled applications through the Kakao Pay menu in KakaoTalk and an in-app banner without installing a separate app or issuing a dedicated card.

If users receive the fund in Kakao Pay Money, they can use it linked to various payment methods such as Samsung Pay, ZeroPay and a physical card. Using the Kakao Pay Travelog check card also enables use of the fund at card merchants.

Both companies are also running events for applicants. Kakao Pay is holding an event to give 1,000,000 Kakao Pay points to users who complete their application and will also give coupons to customers who use up their funds.

For the first application week, from May 18 to May 22, applications are limited by weekday based on the last digit of a person’s birth year. Those eligible in the first round who did not apply can apply during this second-round period, but duplicate applications are restricted for those who have already received payments.