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Support for Victims

Purpose of Support

  • · To protect the rights of those affected by the October 29 Itaewon Disaster and bereaved families, support stable livelihoods and the resumption of daily life, and facilitate healing and community recovery.

Victim Support Programs

    • · Financial support for the living expenses of victims (Article 57 of the Act, Article 23 of the Enforcement Decree)
    • · A one-time lump-sum payment based on household size
    Payment basis
    1-person household 2-person household 3-person household 4-person household 5-person household 6-person household 7 or more people
    Payment Amount 730,5001,205,0001,541,7001,872,7002,186,5002,485,4002,775,100
    Payment basis
    Payment Amount
    1-person household 730,500
    2-person household 1,205,000
    3-person household 1,541,700
    4-person household 1,872,700
    5-person household 2,186,500
    6-person household 2,485,400
    7 or more people 2,775,100

    (Unit: KRW)

    Note: Bereaved families of deceased victims receive twice the applicable payment amount

    • · Expenses for the treatment of physical and mental injuries, illnesses, and their aftereffects caused by the October 29 Itaewon Disaster, and for the use of assistive devices (Article 57 of the Act; Article 23 of the Enforcement Decree)
    • · Patients’ out-of-pocket medical expenses, including non-covered services, and expenses for assistive devices up to the payment limit prescribed for each item under the Standards for Insurance Benefits for Assistive Devices for Persons with Disabilities
    • Note: Currently provided through the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)
    • · Available through October 28, 2032
    • · NHIS: 033-736-3330 or 3331; MOHW: 129
    • · Support for victims to receive medical examinations or treatment for psychological symptoms and mental illnesses aggravated by the disaster (Article 59 of the Act and Article 25 of the Enforcement Decree)
    • · Coverage of medical examination and treatment expenses for psychological symptoms, mental illnesses, and related conditions at medical institutions
    • Note: The same coverage and procedures apply as for medical support payments.
    • · Available through October 28, 2032
    • · NHIS: 033-736-3330 or 3331; MOHW: 129
    • · Psychological and daily-life counseling to help affected people regain emotional stability and adjust to daily life (Article 58 of the Act; Article 24 of the Enforcement Decree)
    • · Provision of psychological assessments, counseling, trauma recovery programs, and related services through Mental Health and Welfare Centers and the National and Regional Centers for Disaster and Trauma
    • · Applications and inquiries may be directed to the nearest Mental Health and Welfare Center, the National Center for Disaster and Trauma, or a Regional Center for Disaster and Trauma.
    • ※ (Noe: Mental health helpline: 1577-0199 (24 hours), 02-2204-0001(daytime)

  • Provision of legal services, including legal counselling and representation in civil litigation, necessary for victim relief and the resumption of daily life (Article 63 of the Act, Article 31 of the Enforcement Decree)

    • · Support for legal services, including legal counselling and litigation representation, necessary for victim relief procedures, such as applications for recognition as a victim
    • · Legal counselling: Advice on the distribution of donations, inheritance, compensation for damages, preparations of criminal complaints relating to secondary victimization, and other matters concerning victim relief
    • · Litigation representation: Representation in civil litigation concerning matters prescribed by law, and support for related litigation costs
    • · Korea Legal Aid Corporation (054-810-1093/1074); Korea Bar Association Legal Aid Foundation (02-3476-6515)

  • Guarantee of leave for workers who qualify as victims to recover from physician and psychological harm, and support for employers' employment retention costs (Articles 60 and 61 of the Act, Articles 26 and 27 of the Enforcement Decree)

    • · Support for the treatment and recovery of workers affected by the disaster and the maintenance of stable employment
    • · Up to six months (extendable by an additional six months upon submission of a medical certificate or physician's opinion)
    • · Support for all or part of the wages and other payments made by employers to workers during medical leave, as well as part of the wages paid to replacement workers

  • Programs to promote community recovery that support the healing, recovery and solidarity of sufferers and residents of the affected areas (Article 65 of the Act, Article 32 of the Enforcement Decree)

    • · The State and relevant authorities develop and implement community recovery programs to promote psychological stability and community recovery among victims and residents of the affected areas, and provide financial support for participation in these programs.