Chuseok Livelihood Stability... Essential Goods Expanded 1.3 Times Compared to Normal Periods · Masks Up to 30% Discount

Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Market, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Fruit boxes are waiting to be shipped.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The government is raising the allowable gift amount under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act for agricultural and marine products as well as processed agricultural and marine goods to support farmers and fishermen. Various promotional events will also be held. Additionally, the supply of essential goods will be increased to 1.3 times the usual level. These measures aim to stabilize people’s livelihoods ahead of Chuseok.

On the 10th, the government finalized and announced a pan-government joint "Chuseok Livelihood Safety Measures" at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, which includes these details.

First, to stabilize prices for ordinary citizens, the government will expand the supply of essential goods and strengthen consumer protection. The supply of 16 key essential goods will be increased to 1.3 times the usual amount, with a total of approximately 88,000 tons supplied over two weeks from the 16th to the 29th. Daily price surveys will also be conducted for 32 items including essential goods and daily necessities.

Furthermore, to ease the burden on livelihoods, the government will strengthen the job safety net and support the clearance of unpaid wages. By the end of this month, it plans to hire 300,000 people through the Hope Job Project, and to support unpaid wage clearance, it will temporarily reduce business owners’ loan interest rates by 1 percentage point until October. The payment period for wage arrears insurance will also be shortened from 14 days to 7 days.

Support will also be provided to revitalize farmers and fishermen who have been further burdened by heavy rain damage.

The government will raise the allowable gift amount under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act for agricultural and marine products and processed goods from the current 100,000 KRW to 200,000 KRW. This increase will be applied temporarily only to gifts purchased for this Chuseok.

In addition, considering support for farmers affected by flood damage and expanding farmers’ purchasing power, the government plans to make every effort to pay the 2.4 trillion KRW agricultural direct payments as early as possible by November. In particular, the 72.4 billion KRW scheduled for the second half’s selective direct payments will be paid early.

Efforts to support domestic demand, such as creating demand specialized for traditional markets, will also be strengthened. From the 21st until the 31st of next month, when using mobile Onnuri gift certificates worth 500,000 KRW or more, the monthly individual purchase limit will be increased to over 300,000 KRW during January and February next year. To revitalize traditional markets and small marts, 11 billion KRW worth of discount coupons for agricultural and marine products (20% discount, up to 10,000 KRW) will also be distributed.

Above all, to maintain a seamless COVID-19 response medical system during the holiday period, dedicated infectious disease hospitals (about 40 locations), residential treatment centers (17 locations), and screening clinics will be operated continuously.

Additionally, masks will be sold at up to 30% discount at train stations, public home shopping channels, and other locations. Disinfection of transportation means such as trains and express buses, as well as facilities, will be strengthened.

Moreover, a 24-hour safety response system that anyone can trust will be established. The Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room will operate 24 hours a day and hold daily situation review meetings. Special safety management will also be promoted in four major areas: traffic, fire, industrial accidents, and electricity/gas.

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