Saturday morning. Today, I’ve placed something that’s already in effect but not widely known at the very beginning, rather than the new system. This is something you can’t just brush off with a fine.
Today’s Key Points (3 Lines) > - The period for driver’s license fitness tests and renewals has changed this year from 'end of the year' to '6 months before and after your birthday'. If you miss the deadline, you’ll receive a fine, and if you miss it by another year, your license will be revoked. > - The last application for the SME Business Restructuring Support Program this year closes on October 15th. > - An amendment clarifying that the state will cover the co-payment for medication for veterans, those eligible for veterans’ benefits, etc., is accepting public comments until October 28th.
## 1. Driver’s License Fitness Tests and Renewals: 6 Months Before and After Your Birthday Starting in 2026
- What’s Changed? — Previously, the renewal period was from January 1st to December 31st of the year you were eligible for renewal. Starting this year, the renewal period is 6 months before and after your birthday (6 months before your birthday – 6 months after your birthday) of the year that marks the cycle from your license acquisition date or last renewal date. This is intended to make it easier to remember deadlines and reduce congestion at driver’s license testing centers at year-end.
- Who Does This Affect? — Holders of Class 1 and Class 2 driver’s licenses. The renewal cycle is generally 10 years, 5 years for those 65 or older, and 3 years for those 75 or older. Those 70 or older must take a fitness test along with their renewal for Class 2 licenses.
- When Does This Take Effect? — Effective January 1, 2026. However, there is a grace period where those who have already received a renewal period before the effective date can still renew under the existing system (January 1st to December 31st of that year), so the deadline varies for each individual this year.
- A word from an administrative agent — If you miss the deadline, the fine is 30,000 won for Class 1 licenses and 20,000 won for Class 2 licenses (30,000 won for those 70 or older). The real problem comes after that. If you miss it by another year, your license will be revoked, and if it’s revoked, you’ll have to take the exam from scratch. Since this is the first year of implementation, some people may postpone it thinking, "We can do it like last year at the end of the year," and find that the deadline has already passed. You can check your renewal period on the Integrated Safe Driving Portal, so it’s a good idea to check it out this weekend. Also, check your parents’ licenses as well.
- Source: [Korea Road Traffic Authority · Regular Fitness Test/License Renewal Guide](https://www.safedriving.or.kr/guide/larGuide011.do?menuCode=MN-PO-1211)
## 2. SME Business Restructuring Support Program: Last Applications Accepted Until October 15th
- What’s Changed? — The Korea Innovative Enterprise Association (MainBiz Association) is accepting applications for the 2026 Q4 business restructuring plan review. If approved, you will receive support linked to financial resources, research and development, and other restructuring needs. This is the last round for this year.
- Who Does This Affect? — Small and medium-sized enterprises that fall into one of six categories: resolving excess supply, stabilizing supply chains, entering new industries, responding to industrial crisis areas, digital transformation, and achieving carbon neutrality. The target companies are those in the stage before showing signs of deterioration or entering capital erosion.
- When Does This Take Effect? — Application deadline: October 15, 2026.
- A word from an administrative agent — With these types of support programs, it takes more time to explain "why a business restructuring is necessary now" in a plan than it does to gather the documents. The deadline is less than a month away, so you should start organizing your financial statements for the past three years, sales and order trends, and plans for the items and equipment you want to switch to this week. The council says it provides support for requirements review and plan consultation, so if you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s faster to inquire before submitting an application.
- Source: [Electronic Times · MainBiz Association Accepts Last Applications for 'Business Restructuring Support Project'](https://www.etnews.com/20260919000019)
## 3. Clarifying the Basis for National Meritorious Service Beneficiary Prescription Costs Self-Burden Reimbursement – Announcement of 4 Enforcement Decree Amendments
- What is changing? — The Ministry of Veterans Affairs will revise the Enforcement Decree of the Law on Welfare and Support for National Meritorious Service Personnel, the Enforcement Decree of the Law on Support for Veterans Compensation Recipients, the Enforcement Decree of the Law on Welfare and Establishment of Organizations for Special Duty Meritorious Service Personnel, and the Enforcement Decree of the Law on Welfare and Establishment of Organizations for 5.18 Democratic Meritorious Service Personnel. The core change is to explicitly state in the Enforcement Decree that the state will fully cover or cover the amount corresponding to the reduction ratio of prescription costs self-burdened by national meritorious service personnel, bereaved family members, and their families. This also includes incorporating the addition of "integrated special metropolitan cities" (introduced by the revision of the Local Autonomy Act, effective July 1, 2026) to the types of local governments.
- Who is affected? — National meritorious service personnel, veterans compensation recipients, special duty meritorious service personnel, 5.18 democratic meritorious service personnel, and their bereaved family members and families.
- When will it take effect? — The public comment period is from September 18, 2026, to October 28, 2026. The date of promulgation and implementation is ⚠️ Please refer to the original document (it is currently in the announcement stage).
- A word from an administrative agent — This is not a finalized system yet, and it is a stage where opinions can be submitted. If you have personally experienced prescription costs at a veterans hospital or contracted hospital, or have experienced inconsistent reduction application, you can submit your opinions to the National Participation in Legislation Center by October 28. This is a separate matter from procedures with individual deadlines, such as registration applications or re-determination of disability grade, so do not mix them up.
- Source: [National Participation in Legislation Center · Announcement of Amendments to 4 Enforcement Decrees, including the Enforcement Decree of the Law on Welfare and Support for National Meritorious Service Personnel](https://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr/gcom/ogLmPp/88692)
## 4. Songdo Terrace Collapse: Apartment Residents Demand Disclosure of Design Change, Permit, and Supervision Documents
- What is changing? — On August 7, 2026, a structure of a protruding terrace collapsed from a newly constructed apartment building in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. On September 18, the residents’ emergency countermeasures committee gathered approximately 500 people in front of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority headquarters, demanding the disclosure of design changes, permit history, terrace structural calculations, and supervision records. Following the accident, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Incheon City have jointly established an accident investigation committee to investigate the cause and responsibility. The countermeasures committee has also announced plans to file a complaint with the Board of Audit and Inspection and pursue legal action.
- Who is affected? — Residents of the affected complex. More broadly, residents who need to verify the permit and supervision records of their building.
- When will it take effect? — Accident date: August 7, 2026; Rally date: September 18, 2026. The joint accident investigation committee’s investigation is ongoing.
- A word from an administrative agent — Determining the cause and responsibility requires the results of the investigation, which is not mine to comment on. However, the procedures for obtaining documents are established. Design documents, permit documents, and supervision reports should be requested through an information disclosure request to the permitting authority (in this case, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority). The authority must decide on disclosure within 10 days in principle, and may extend the period by up to 10 days if necessary. If a decision of non-disclosure or partial disclosure is made, you can file an objection within 30 days from the date of notification, or file an administrative appeal within 90 days. Since it is common to withhold some information citing trade secrets or personal information, specifying "which document and which part" in your request will clarify the points of contention.
- Source: [Incheonin · "Release Design, Permit, and Supervision... Songdo Terrace Collapse Residents Take to the Streets"](https://www.incheonin.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=120918)
## This Week’s Deadlines
- October 15 – Deadline for application for the 2026 Q4 Small and Medium Enterprise Business Restructuring Support Project
- October 28 – Deadline for submission of comments on the amendment of 4 Enforcement Decrees concerning national meritorious service personnel
- Ongoing – Driver’s license aptitude test and renewal: the six months before and after your birthday (this year’s cohort should first check whether the transitional rule applies)
*This briefing is prepared by Hwang Yun-sang Administrative Agent Office based on publicly available information. The applicability to individual cases requires verification with the relevant authority.*