'Geunyang Deurim' expanded to every si, gun and gu nationwide — food and daily necessities without income documentation
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
'Geunyang Deurim' (그냥드림), which provides food and daily necessities immediately without income documentation, will be expanded to every si, gun and gu nationwide during September 2026, with 55 si, gun and gu starting the programme in sequence.
Key facts
| Timing of expansion | Expanded to every si, gun and gu nationwide during September 2026 (announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on September 6, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Newly joining | The 55 si, gun and gu not currently taking part start in sequence. Ulleung-gun in North Gyeongsang Province also joins |
| Current scale | Began as a pilot at 57 sites nationwide in December 2025 → currently operating in 175 si, gun and gu, with about 210,000 cumulative users |
| How support works | A 'support first, administration later' (선지원 후행정) approach that provides food and daily necessities immediately without complicated income documentation |
| 'Geunyang Deurim that comes to you' | Operated under 3 standard models: eup-myeon-dong welfare linkage, local resource linkage, and public institution cooperation |
| How to check | Search for '그냥드림' on a portal site, or check the Ministry of Health and Welfare website (mohw.go.kr) or the Korea Food Bank website (foodbank1377.org) |
| Enquiries | Ministry of Health and Welfare, Social Service Resources Division 044-202-3259 |
Last checked:
'Geunyang Deurim' (그냥드림), which provides food and daily necessities immediately without complicated income documentation, will be expanded to every si, gun and gu nationwide during September 2026. Under the plan announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) on September 6, 2026, the 55 si, gun and gu that do not currently take part will start the programme in sequence, and with Ulleung-gun in North Gyeongsang Province also joining, a 'Geunyang Deurim' corner will be available anywhere in the country. 'Geunyang Deurim' began as a pilot at 57 sites nationwide in December 2025 and is currently operating in 175 si, gun and gu, having been used by about 210,000 people so far. Alongside the nationwide expansion, the outreach version, 'Geunyang Deurim that comes to you' (찾아가는 그냥드림), for older people and people with disabilities who have difficulty getting around and for residents of islands and remote areas, also goes into full operation.
Background — why this change
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부), 44,712 users of Geunyang Deurim corners received welfare counselling, and 4,437 were connected to the formal protection system through means such as selection as a basic livelihood security recipient or emergency welfare support. The share of users referred to an eup, myeon or dong outreach health and welfare team after welfare counselling rose from 46.4% during the pilot programme to 54.8% during the main programme, and the share that led to welfare services actually being provided rose from 15.2% to 25.1% over the same period. Private participation has also continued: Shinhan Financial Group decided to provide a total of 10 billion won over the 3 years from 2025 to 2027, and companies such as the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Lotte Corporation and Korea Chunggwa Co., Ltd. (한국청과주식회사), as well as chambers of commerce and industry across the country, have joined in, bringing cumulative private donations to 13.5 billion won.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Is income documentation needed to use Geunyang Deurim?
'Geunyang Deurim' (그냥드림) operates on a 'support first, administration later' basis, providing food and daily necessities immediately without complicated income documentation.
Is there a Geunyang Deurim corner in my area?
During September 2026 the programme is expanded to every si, gun and gu nationwide, with the 55 si, gun and gu not currently taking part starting in sequence. The location and opening hours of local corners can be checked on the Ministry of Health and Welfare website (mohw.go.kr) or the Korea Food Bank website (foodbank1377.org).
What if it is difficult to visit in person?
'Geunyang Deurim that comes to you' (찾아가는 그냥드림) goes into full operation for older people and people with disabilities who have difficulty getting around and for residents of islands and remote areas. It is operated under 3 standard models: eup-myeon-dong welfare linkage, local resource linkage, and public institution cooperation.