In response to the intense, sweltering summer heatwave and the recent wave of COVID-19 infections, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is operating a comprehensive heatwave situation room and implementing special measure to protect the vulnerable, such as the elderly and slum residents, against heatwaves who are already having a hard time due to COVID-19. First,...   Read more

Level 4 social distancing will be maintained in the Seoul metropolitan area from midnight (00:00) on July 26 to midnight (24:00) on August 8. – (Reinforced measures) The public is advised to refrain from going out until August; exemption of private sports gatherings not applied; events requiring lodging prohibited; use of QR codes at department...   Read more

Dear honorable citizens of Seoul, COVID-19 still wreaks havoc. The number of new confirmed cases in Seoul surged to 375 on Jun. 29 and continued to record 300s for a week except for one day. And as of Jul. 6, new confirmed cases hit the roof at 583, which is a historic record since COVID-19...   Read more

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has already selected 5,000 young residents in the first half as beneficiaries of its rent assistance program, and will select 22,000 additional beneficiaries in the second half. The SMG will provide financial support of KRW 200,000 for ten months with the additional a KRW 17.9 billion supplementary budget secured on...   Read more

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is reinforcing its COVID-19 protocol in light of the rise in the number of confirmed cases in the Seoul metropolitan area—vaccine recipients will still be required to wear masks indoors/outdoors, and violators will be subject to a fine of KRW 100,000. Mask regulations by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention...   Read more

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is extending the temporarily eased eligibility criteria for “Seoul-type Urgent Welfare” until the end of the year. Seoul-type Urgent Welfare is a policy to support low-income households in crisis due to accidents, unemployment, or temporary/permanent closure of business by providing up to KRW 3 million (for four-person households) as living,...   Read more

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) decided to extend its current social distancing measures for another week after negotiating with Gyeonggi Province and Incheon. Originally, the SMG had planned to allow private gatherings of up to 6 persons while maintaining level 2 social distancing, but after an emergency COVID-19 protocol meeting with district officers, it was...   Read more

Direction – Complete 1st dose vaccination for 6.7 million (70% of all citizens) by the end of September – Support full school attendance for second semester through vaccination of workers in education and childcare – Vaccination prioritized for seniors in their 50s through July to August – Customized plan for vaccination blind spots: those who...   Read more

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is providing step-by-step customized consulting at Seoul Kium daycare centers to improve the quality of childcare services for elementary school students during intermittent periods such as after school, vacations, and holidays. ※ Seoul Kium Daycare Centers ※ Opened in 2018, Seoul Kium daycare centers provide after school childcare programs to...   Read more

Newly adjusted social distancing measures are applied starting July 1—simplified from five levels to four levels with eased rules on private gatherings of 5 persons or more that have been implemented for almost six months. In the Seoul metropolitan area, private gatherings of up to 6 persons will be permitted through July 14, followed by...   Read more

Level 2 social distancing will be applied to the Seoul metropolitan area starting in July according to the newly adjusted social distancing measures. For two weeks (July 1–14), up to 6 persons can gather in private gatherings, and vaccinated persons will be exempted from the capacity limit for private gatherings and events. The Seoul Metropolitan...   Read more

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has plans to provide support for small businesses preparing to start or close their business due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, while considering their life cycle from entry (startup) and growth (performance improvement) to re-start phase (business closure). Any citizen who wants to start a business can receive support, and...   Read more