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

As heat-related illnesses pour in amid murderous heat waves hovering around 40°C (104°F), some local governments are implementing systems that pay out heat wave insurance claims.

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

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

The insurance period for this year runs from April 11 of this year to April 10 of next year, and 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, heat syncope, or heat cramps, a diagnosis benefit of 150,000 won is paid out.

Those who visit the emergency room due to heat-related illnesses, cold-related illnesses, or climate disaster accidents receive 100,000 won, and if diagnosed for four weeks or more due to weather warnings or natural disaster-related accidents, a consolation payment of 300,000 won is also provided.

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

Even if subscribers already have other insurance policies, overlapping coverage is possible, 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 experienced heat exhaustion during physical activities have received insurance payouts.

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

Jeju Island has subscribed to a product that compensates for the daily wages of workers that drop when construction work is halted due to heat wave warnings.

This is a method of paying out insurance benefits based on temperatures without separate screening procedures.

While public-type climate insurance is being introduced as heat waves become commonplace, it has been revealed that Gyeonggi Province's finances are virtually in a state of bankruptcy, leading to backlash among some netizens 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 Gang-san | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.