Korea's Child Meal Card: where to use it, how to check the balance
A child meal card is a meal support card issued by local governments in Korea to children at risk of missing meals. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's recommended rate for 2026 is 10,000 KRW per meal, and the card name and balance lookup differ by region.
As of 2026-08-27. Compiled by Nanum Vitamin, the operator of Naviyam. Each local government sets its own final rate, so confirm with your local notice.
The 2026 rate is 10,000 KRW per meal
The Ministry of Health and Welfare set the recommended child meal rate for 2026 at 10,000 KRW per meal, and local governments have been raising their rates accordingly. The final rate still depends on each local budget.
Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare recommended meal rate, 2026
The card name differs by region
Because local governments issue the cards, the name and operation differ. Start by identifying which card you hold.
| Region | Card name |
|---|---|
| Seoul | Kkumnamu Card |
| Gyeonggi-do | G Dream Card (Ssiat Bapsang) |
| Incheon | Child Meal Card |
| Gwangju | I-Kkum Card |
| Busan | Busan Child Meal Card |
As of 2026-08-28 · Source: official notices from each local government and card issuer. Card names, operators, and lookup channels can change as local programs are revised.
Other regions use their own naming. Gwangju replaced the former Kkumjaram Card with the I-Kkum Card. Daegu runs a child meal information portal (kidsmeal.daegu.go.kr). A school-issued 'student meal card' (an education office program) is a different scheme.
What you can do on Naviyam
Pay online with the meal card
Order and pay for meals with a child meal card in the Naviyam app, without visiting a store in person.
60,000+ participating stores
Find nearby stores that accept the meal card in the app, so support is spent within the local community.
Stack coupons on top
Naviyam coupons can be used together with the meal card. Corporate CSR coupons, individual sponsor coupons, and store discounts add to the budget for a single meal.
To check how much is left
The lookup channel depends on the card. We list them by region on a separate page.
Who is eligible
Child meal cards are issued by local governments to children and teenagers under 18 who are at risk of missing meals. Households on basic livelihood benefits, near-poverty households, and single-parent families are typical cases, but a child outside those income brackets may still qualify if illness, absence, or job loss in the family puts meals at risk.
Because the local government makes the call, outcomes can differ by region for similar circumstances. If you are unsure, it is worth explaining the situation at your local office rather than assuming you do not qualify.
How to apply
Apply online through Bokjiro, or in person at your local community service centre. Some local governments also accept applications by phone or post. Applications are accepted year-round, during term time and holidays alike.
Nanum Vitamin does not issue cards or assess eligibility. Issuance is the local government's role; Naviyam helps you use a card once you have one.
Support often increases during school holidays
School meals cover one meal during term time, and that meal disappears over the holidays — so some local governments increase the number of supported days or the amount during breaks. Others keep it unchanged.
Checking your local notice before the holidays start is the simplest way to avoid missing the extra support.
If the card is lost or support stops
Report a lost card to the issuer's customer centre printed on the back, then arrange reissuance through your local office. Fraudulent use before the report may not be recoverable, so report as soon as you notice.
If support stops suddenly, an eligibility review may have changed the outcome, you may have moved to a different jurisdiction, or the age limit may have been reached. Moving usually means the old card cannot be used and a new one must be issued in the new region.
FAQ
- How do I apply for a child meal card?
- Cards are issued by your local government, so applications go through the local office. Nanum Vitamin does not handle card issuance.
- Can I pay with a child meal card on Naviyam?
- Yes. You can order and pay for meals online with a child meal card in the Naviyam app.
- Where can I find stores that accept the card?
- The Naviyam app map shows participating stores. More than 60,000 are registered nationwide.