A 56-year-old food ingredient distributor surnamed A lost his job in 2024 after severely injuring his right arm in an accident. As his recovery dragged on, medical and living expenses piled up, and his debt swelled to 60 million won.
When A visited the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service (CCRS) last December seeking debt restructuring, a counselor advised him that he might qualify for the basic living allowance and recommended he visit a local administrative welfare center. A was subsequently designated as a basic livelihood recipient and now receives roughly 1.2…