Nowon District Mayor Oh Seung-rok Returns 30% of Salary... Purchases 400 Million Won in Nowon Love Gift Certificates for All Employees

District Mayor Voluntarily Returns 30% of Salary, Employees Below Grade 6 Purchase About 400 Million Won in Nowon Love Gift Certificates to Revive Sluggish Local Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is actively participating in revitalizing the local economy through the district mayor’s voluntary salary return and all employees’ voluntary donations and purchases of Nowon Love Gift Certificates to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.

As the COVID-19 situation prolongs, the district is making every effort to overcome the crisis by preparing various measures daily to support small business owners and vulnerable groups who are experiencing severe difficulties.

This time, the district mayor and district office employees rolled up their sleeves to contribute to overcoming COVID-19.

First, Oh Seung-rok, the mayor of Nowon-gu, voluntarily returned 30% of his salary for four months. About 60 union executives and managers at grade 5 or higher collected 22.4 million KRW in donations.

The collected donations will be used to help COVID-19 victims and vulnerable groups through the Nowon Education Welfare Foundation. Employees at grade 6 or below purchased Nowon Love Gift Certificates, a local currency, to revitalize the local economy.

A total of 1,369 people participated, with grade 6 employees purchasing up to 300,000 KRW and grade 7 or below purchasing up to 200,000 KRW, amounting to about 400 million KRW.

The Nowon Love Gift Certificates can be used at over 7,000 affiliated stores located in Nowon-gu, and store owners are fully exempt from payment fees. Additionally, a 15% discount rate is applied at the time of purchase, and if goods are purchased with the gift certificates by the 21st of this month, 5% of the payment amount will be refunded in cash.

To revitalize the local economy, the district issued Nowon Love Gift Certificates worth 3 billion KRW on the 16th of last month. Due to the residents’ participation in purchasing to revive the local economy, the sales were completed early on the 3rd, and an emergency second issuance of 2 billion KRW was made starting from the 4th, with plans to expand the issuance amount through supplementary budgets in the future.

Also, to support local restaurants, the district office completely suspended the operation of the district office cafeteria for seven days starting March 5. Currently, the fourth Friday of every month is designated as a restaurant holiday, and a single-line dining system is implemented, allowing only 50% of the restaurant seats to be used to encourage employees to dine outside.

Along with this, the mature civic consciousness of Nowon-gu residents shines even brighter in the face of crisis. During difficult times, various sectors are sending donations and goods, thinking of those who are more vulnerable.

As of the 2nd, donations have been received from 103 places, totaling over 200 million KRW. Companies, medical institutions, and individuals have contributed protective suits, disinfectants, masks, and other items to support quarantine efforts.

Also, they have sent rice cakes, bread, fruits, pizza, beverages, etc., to thank health center and hospital staff, volunteers, and others working on the front lines, and donated handmade cotton masks, ramen, hygiene kits, daily necessities kits, and more to be delivered to vulnerable groups, continuing the outpouring of love.

Building owners are also actively participating in the Good Landlord Movement. Thirty-four building owners have joined, benefiting 472 tenant stores. The rent reduction ranges from a minimum of 10% to a full waiver, applied for periods from one to three months, providing great support to tenants in crisis.

In particular, Hwarang Building near Nowon Station decided to reduce rent by 20% for two months for all 250 stores in the building.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “I am grateful to the district office executives and employees who voluntarily want to share difficulties with the residents,” and added, “We will do our best to ensure that the precious donations and goods collected are delivered to the places where help is needed in a timely and appropriate manner.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.