"Even Foreigners Get It," 14.4 Million Enrolled... What's Happening Amid Bankruptcy Rumors?

Amid scorching heat waves soaring past 40°C (104°F) with a surge in heat-related illnesses, some local governments are implementing systems that pay out heat wave insurance claims.

A prime example is the Gyeonggi Climate Insurance, to which Gyeonggi Province residents are automatically enrolled.

The structure automatically enrolls approximately 14.4 million people—including Gyeonggi Province residents, registered foreigners in the province, and foreign nationals of Korean descent—without any separate procedures.

This year's insurance period runs from April 11 to April 10 next year, and insurance claims can be filed within three years from the date of the accident or diagnosis.

Coverage for heat-related illnesses is also included.

If diagnosed with a heat-related illness such as heatstroke, heat exhaustion, or heat syncope, a diagnosis benefit of 150,000 won is provided.

Those who visit an emergency room due to heat-related illnesses, cold-related illnesses, or climate disaster accidents receive 100,000 won, and a consolation payment of 300,000 won is also paid if a person receives a diagnosis of 4 weeks or more due to weather warning or natural disaster-related accidents.

When diagnosed with climate-related infectious diseases such as malaria and tsutsugamushi disease, individuals can receive 200,000 won.

Overlapping coverage is possible even if subscribers have previously joined other insurance policies, and Gyeonggi Province covers the entire insurance premium.

Actual payout cases are also continuing.

Students diagnosed with heat-related illnesses during outdoor experiential learning or citizens who suffered heat exhaustion during physical activities have received insurance payouts.

The adoption of climate insurance by local governments is showing a spreading trend.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has subscribed to a product that compensates for the daily wages of workers that shrink when construction work stops due to heat wave warnings.

This method pays out insurance claims based on temperatures without separate screening procedures.

As heat waves become commonplace and public-style climate insurance is being introduced, news that Gyeonggi Province's finances are virtually in a state of bankruptcy has led to backlash among some netizens, with comments such as "This is why there is no money" and "Are they even giving tax money to foreigners?"

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Choi Kang-san | Design by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.