Proposes

March 31 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety proposed a 9.52 trillion won ($7.1 billion) supplementary budget on Monday to ease the impact of high oil prices and inflation driven by instability in the Middle East.

The plan includes direct cash payments ranging from 100,000 won to 600,000 won ($75 to $450) per person for low- and middle-income households, along with increased funding for local governments and youth employment programs.

The proposal was approved at a Cabinet meeting and will be submitted to the National Assembly for review.

At the center of the package is a 4.82 trillion won ($3.6 billion) relief program targeting the bottom 70% of income earners. Payments will vary depending on region and socioeconomic status.

Residents in the Seoul metropolitan area would receive 100,000 won ($75), while those outside the capital region would receive 150,000 won ($112). People living in areas facing population decline would receive between 200,000 won and 250,000 won ($150 to $187).

Additional support is aimed at vulnerable groups. Single-parent households and those in the near-poor category would receive 450,000 won ($337), rising to as much as 500,000 won ($375) for those outside the capital region. Recipients of basic livelihood assistance would receive 550,000 won ($412), or up to 600,000 won ($450) with regional adjustments.

The government estimates the program will cover about 32.56 million people in the bottom 70% income bracket, along with 360,000 near-poor and single-parent households and 2.85 million recipients of basic livelihood benefits.

Details such as eligibility criteria, payment timing and methods will be finalized through interagency consultations and announced separately.

The ministry also set aside 19.5 billion won ($14.5 million) for youth work experience programs, focusing on sectors such as caregiving, culture and environmental services. Officials said the initiative is designed to support young people facing increased employment uncertainty amid global economic volatility.

An additional 4.67 trillion won ($3.5 billion) in local government grants is included to help regional authorities respond quickly to local economic conditions and fund projects aimed at stabilizing livelihoods and boosting economic activity.

Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-joong said the relief payments were structured to provide greater support to regions and populations facing deeper economic hardship.

“With growing external uncertainties, including the conflict in the Middle East, we will work closely with the National Assembly to ensure this budget serves as a stabilizing force for people affected by rising fuel costs and inflation,” Yoon said.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260331010009533

March 24 (UPI) — Pakistani officials said Tuesday they’re prepared to host negotiations between the United States and Iran, with in-person meetings possibly set to take place in Islamabad.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told Al Jazeera that Pakistan would be willing to play a part in the talks “if the parties desire.”

The government “has consistently advocated for dialogue and diplomacy to promote peace and stability in the region,” Andrabi said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the offer, saying he’s ready to “facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks.”

Unnamed Pakistani sources told The Guardian that Vice President JD Vance would potentially serve as chief U.S. negotiator if such talks went forward. Iranian officials have said they will not speak with President Donald Trump‘s pre-war negotiators, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.

Witkoff and Kushner met with Iranian officials in the month leading up to the war in an attempt to reach a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program. The talks were unfruitful and Trump ordered the launch of attacks on Iran on Feb. 28 alongside Israel.

In nearly a month, the war has killed more than 2,000 people and displaced millions of others, NBC News reported.

Trump said Monday that he hopes there will be an agreement with Iran amid renewed talks, which Iranian state-run media have denied has taken place. The U.S. president said he’s holding off on strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days after “very good and productive conversations.”