South Korea is gearing up for 2025 with several policy announcements and programs aimed at enhancing welfare, boosting AI business, and improving the lives of its citizens, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Across various towns and cities, new initiatives are set to provide much-needed resources and support.
One of the highlighted schemes involves the Gyeongnam Cultural & Art Promotion Agency, which will issue Cultural Nuri Cards to low-income residents starting February 3rd through the end of November 2025. This program targets recipients of basic living allowances and aims to enrich the quality of life and mitigate cultural disparities.
The initiative will provide annual financial support amounting to 140,000 won to eligible residents, enabling them to access cultural activities, travel, and sports events. Children above the age of six, along with other qualifying groups, can apply for the card from their local administrative offices or through online platforms.
According to Gyeongnam Cultural & Art Promotion Agency President Kim Jong-bu, “We will do our utmost to promote the issuance and use of Cultural Nuri Cards to help the culturally disadvantaged groups engage with more diverse cultural, travel, and sports activities.” The aim is clear: to reduce cultural gaps and improve engagement among less privileged segments of the community.
Meanwhile, the telecommunications sector is also preparing for promising changes. Mirae Asset Securities recently released an analysis projecting significant progress for major telecom companies like SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus, which are expected to intensify their focus on artificial intelligence (AI) business models.
Analyst Kim Soo-jin forecasts SK Telecom will achieve exceptional results, particularly as it has integrated the globally recognized AI search engine, Perplexity, helping them secure substantial new subscribers. He argues, "With the global acceleration of AI agent adoption, we can expect SK Telecom to emerge as Korea's leading B2B solution provider, concurrently fostering growth within their infrastructure sector."
Despite anticipated one-time costs affecting their fourth-quarter results, Kim predicts 2025 will see the realization of SK Telecom's long-term investments and efforts, thanks to cost efficiency and the application of AI technologies.
For KT, the recent announcement of voluntary retirements is projected to create short-term financial impacts, resulting in significant one-time expenses. This move, expected to reduce operational headcount from around 19,000 to 14,000 employees, will facilitate yearly savings of approximately 300 billion won, paving the way for what is expected to be a considerable profit rebound next year.
Although the credit card and advertising sectors may be facing challenges, KT's cloud services are on track to reach remarkable revenue, primarily through its strategic partnership with Microsoft. Analyst Kim assures investors, “KT’s proactive share buybacks will undoubtedly raise shareholder expectations as we looks toward promising growth opportunities.”
LG Uplus, on the other hand, has witnessed notable reactions following the launch of its personal assistant brand, Exio, which exceeded over 100,000 downloads within just ten days. Analyst Kim highlights the potential of Exio's upcoming paid models to boost revenue. He confidently asserts, “The 2025 focus will involve pushing AI monetization and significant profit improvements, especially through channel efficiencies and cost optimizations.”
Local governments are also making strides toward improving citizen welfare. For example, Icheon city has unveiled its updated policies, detailing enhancements across five key sectors including public administration, welfare, economy, and safety. By streamlining various administrative functions, residents can now apply for necessary services digitally, promoting efficiency and reducing obstacles.
For the welfare sector, Icheon will increase subsidies for child care services, improve health support programs for pregnant women, and boost direct economic assistance for its aging population. They’ve raised the lifetime spending limits for community donations, allowing up to 20 million won annually, which will incentivize local financial support.
Another initiative is the rollout of consolidated cultural utilization cards, which, set at 140,000 won for annual access, will help subsidize recreational activities, particularly for lower-income families. The city aims to deliver information on these developments to residents via informational booklets and online resources, ensuring transparency and easy access to benefits.
Likewise, Suncheon city is promoting its “Women Farmers Happiness Voucher Project,” significantly enhancing culture and leisure opportunities for women working within the agricultural sector. Women aged between 20 and 80 who are registered farmers can apply for financial support to promote health and well-being through cultural engagement.
These announcements reflect South Korea's dedication to enhancing social equity and fostering technological innovation as citizens enter 2025. The combined efforts from local governments, telecommunications, and cultural institutions signal a promising future built upon sustainable practices, welfare enhancements, and comprehensive community support.
Overall, these initiatives showcase how South Korea is preparing to meet the needs of its citizens, prioritizing cultural access, technological progression, and social welfare, stepping confidently toward 2025.