South Korea’s High Oil Price Relief Fund will expire at midnight on the 31st, with unused balances automatically forfeited. The temporary program distributed 100,000 won to 600,000 won per person to the bottom 70% of income earners after Middle East tensions drove up international oil prices, while restricting spending to local businesses to support neighborhood economies. Vulnerable groups, including the near-poverty class, single-parent families and Basic Livelihood Security Recipients, received 450,000 won to 600,000 won, while other eligible recipients received 100,000 won to 250,000 won. A total of 35,403,928 people applied, or 97.97% of 36,138,987 eligible recipients, and 6.11 trillion won ($4.4 billion) was distributed. Of the 3.55 trillion won ($2.6 billion) distributed through credit and debit cards, 3.45 trillion won ($2.5 billion) had been spent as of the 18th, a 97.3% usage rate. The ministry estimates overall usage, including other payment methods, is at a similar level, leaving about 95 billion won outstanding based on card distributions alone. Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-joong urged recipients to use remaining funds before the deadline. The ministry will work with local governments and card issuers to send reminders through the Government 24 notification service, text messages, apps and websites.