Anchor: The government has announced policies to kick start domestic demand as record-high household debt and a massive political scandal have been weighing down the economy. The measures include flexible work schedules and discount programs.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
 
Report: South Korea will introduce flexible working hours and designate a monthly family day in the hopes that more people will go shopping and travel.
 
Under the scheme, workers will be encouraged to work 30 minutes longer four days a week so that they will be able to leave two hours earlier once a week.
 
The measures, unveiled by the government at a meeting of economy-related ministers on Thursday, are aimed at reviving consumer sentiment.
 
At the meeting, Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn warned that consumption could weaken further unless measures are taken.
 
[Sound bite: Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn (Korean)]
"There are concerns that domestic demand could contract even further. We need to stop declining consumption at an early stage in order to revitalize the economy."
 
The government also announced that it will expand tax incentives for small cars and offer discounts of up to 50 percent on bullet trains for early reservations.
 
Tax benefits will increase for spending on public transportation and at traditional markets.
 
Deputy Finance Minister Lee Chan-woo said the government will ease requirements for earned-income tax credit so that low-income households headed by those 30 and older will be eligible for the support. The tax credit is currently offered for families headed by those 40 and above.
 
[Sound bite: Deputy Finance Minister Lee Chan-woo (Korean)]
"We concentrated on increasing disposable income for low-income earners by expanding their household income and reducing living costs."
 
The latest plan, however, doesn't include revisions to the anti-graft Kim Young-ran Act, which has been blamed for worsening domestic demand.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.