[Report] "I'm here to apply for the livelihood coupon" Citizens flock... Small business owners also expect sales

[Financial News] "Today is the application day for the 'Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon', right?"
On the morning of the 21st, at the Seocho 2-dong Administrative Welfare Center (Community Center) in Seoul. From early morning, citizens were lined up in front of the center. This is because the government has started accepting the first applications for the livelihood recovery consumption coupon, which provides a basic 150,000 won per person to stimulate consumption and revitalize the local economy. The consumption coupon can be applied for online as well as at the local community center or affiliated bank branches.
Citizens who visited the community center for offline applications waited before business hours. Most visited in comfortable attire such as sportswear or short-sleeved T-shirts, and while waiting, questions such as "Is today the application day?" and "What should I bring?" were exchanged among citizens.
The Seocho 2-dong Community Center set up a dedicated reception area for consumption coupon applications to avoid confusion with general civil affairs. When the center opened around 9 a.m., waiting citizens received a number ticket at the reception and waited their turn. Staff confirmed with citizens, "Is the last digit of your birth year 1 or 6?" and processed applications in order.
Mr. Park (69), who visited the community center, said, "I studied in advance on YouTube about when, where, and how to receive the consumption coupon," and "Thanks to coming early, I was able to receive it in just 5 minutes." Some citizens visited the center to check information or inquire even though it was not the application day. Mr. Yoon (88) said, "It's not the application day today, but I stopped by to inquire about the application period while out for exercise," and "I plan to do some shopping and dining out once I receive the coupon."
On the same day, a similar scene unfolded at the Ahyeon-dong Community Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul. According to the center, about 80 applicants visited by the morning. An official from the Ahyeon-dong Community Center explained, "There were cases where people came without properly checking the application day and returned, and there were many inquiries about proxy applications or family integrated applications," and "Even though today is the first application day, more people visited than expected."
As the livelihood recovery consumption coupon policy is implemented, expectations among small business owners and self-employed individuals are rising. This is because it is seen as an opportunity to recover sales reduced by economic downturn and consumption contraction. On the first day of coupon distribution, some stores were seen attaching 'Consumption Coupon Usable Store' stickers and promoting early. Some self-employed individuals have completed sticker applications and are waiting for delivery.
Mr. Lee, in his 70s, who runs a cold noodle shop in Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "Since the December 12th and 3rd martial law, sales have been halved, and in such difficult times, the consumption coupon will really help," and "Everyone in the business is looking forward to it."
Mr. Kim (67), who runs a cafe, also said, "Most self-employed people are in a difficult situation now, and with the internet age, traditional markets have almost died," and "I don't know how long the effect of the consumption coupon will last, but it is a policy that helps self-employed people."
Meanwhile, as applicants flocked, access issues occurred in some card company apps. A Shinhan Card official said, "It has somewhat stabilized, but it has not been completely resolved yet."
In addition, other card company apps such as Lotte Card and KB Kookmin Card displayed messages saying 'Due to a large number of users, some services may not be smooth.'
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the first application for the livelihood recovery consumption coupon will be accepted online and offline from 9 a.m. on this day until 6 p.m. on September 12, for about 8 weeks. The basic amount is 150,000 won per person, while lower-income groups and single-parent families receive 300,000 won, and basic livelihood security recipients receive 400,000 won. Applications can be made online through the websites or apps of nine card companies, including KB Kookmin Card, Lotte Card, and Samsung Card, or by visiting linked bank branches directly.
 
welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yu-ha Choi Seung-han Ye Byeong-jeong Reporter