Mokpo City to Focus on Six Measures to Revitalize the Local Economy Ahead of Chuseok: “The Government Will Provide Active Support for a New Leap Forward”

【Financial News Mokpo = Hwang Tae-jong】 Mokpo City will focus on six measures to revitalize the local economy ahead of Chuseok.
 The measures are intended to ease the grocery-cost burden on residents struggling with high prices and an economic slowdown, while bringing vitality to local small businesses and traditional markets.
 The six measures are expanding the issuance of Mokpo Sarang Gift Certificates and providing additional refunds; holding an Onnuri Gift Certificate refund events; expanding alley-type shopping districts; implementing price-stabilization measures; organizing traditional-market shopping events for public officials; and holding cultural events linked to Jangteo Yuramdan.
 Mokpo Mayor Kang Seong-hwi explained, "Various support measures that residents can feel are expected to generate approximately 16 billion won in additional consumption."
 First, Mokpo City will increase the monthly issuance of Mokpo Sarang Gift Certificates in September fivefold, from the previous 1.3 billion won to 6.5 billion won. The per-person purchase limit will also rise from 300,000 won to as much as 500,000 won, consisting of 400,000 won for card-type certificates and 100,000 won for mobile and paper certificates. In addition to the standard 10% upfront discount, consumers will receive an additional 5% refund on the payment amount, up to the exhaustion of funds after 3.3 billion won in payments, providing benefits of up to 15%.
 From the 14th to the 27th, the city will also hold a "Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate Refund Event," offering a 5% refund on purchases of 20,000 won or more. Based on payments totaling 500,000 won, consumers can receive up to 60,000 won per person through a 7% upfront discount worth 35,000 won and a 5% refund worth 25,000 won. However, for the five days before Chuseok, from September 16 to 20, the upfront discount rate for digital Onnuri Gift Certificates will temporarily increase from 7% to 10%, with the purchase limit set at 200,000 won.
 In addition, from the 16th to the 20th, consumers who purchase domestically produced agricultural, livestock, and fishery products at four traditional markets in Mokpo—Jungang Sikryo Market, Dongbu Market, Cheongho Market, and Mokpo Jayu Market—will receive an immediate on-site refund of up to 30% of the purchase amount in Onnuri Gift Certificates. The refund is 10,000 won for purchases of 34,000 won or more and 20,000 won for purchases of 67,000 won or more.
 The city will also expand the number of alley-type shopping districts from 19 to 25 to strengthen the competitiveness of neighborhood commercial areas. After designating three areas—Kkumdongsan, Okam Coaru, and the area around Pyeonghwa Plaza CGV—in August, covering 438 stores, the city plans to designate three additional areas in the Hadang area in September, covering 697 stores. A total of 1,135 stores will newly receive support, including registration as Onnuri Gift Certificate affiliated merchants.
 Mayor Kang Seong-hwi said, "I hope you will make active use of the expanded benefits of Mokpo Sarang Gift Certificates and Onnuri Gift Certificates, support traditional markets and neighborhood commercial areas, and enjoy a warm Chuseok holiday."
 Mokpo City will particularly operate a "price-stabilization period" from the 14th to the 30th, during which it plans to run a price-gouging reporting center and a price-stabilization situation room.
 From the 7th to the 23rd, all departments at City Hall will also establish one-to-one sister partnerships with seven traditional markets in Mokpo and hold shopping events. On the 4th at Jungang Sikryo Market and the 5th at New Jungang Market, the city will host cultural events linked to Jangteo Yuramdan, including performances by tightrope-walking masters, pansori, and magic shows.

[email protected] Hwang Tae-jong Reporter