Yangcheon-gu Good Consumption Part 2 Unveiled!... Events Including 'Local Economy We Save Day' Promoted

Submit receipts from local stores to receive COVID-19 prevention supplies... Measures to Revitalize the Local Economy Including Dining Out Day, Department Head Sponsorship, and Using Local Bookstores

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The unprecedented crisis brought about by COVID-19 is affecting every aspect of our lives. Many people are experiencing difficulties both economically and psychologically. In particular, the concerns of small business owners who are feeling the economic downturn caused by the prolonged social distancing are growing deeper day by day. Small business owners, including those in the dining industry, unanimously say, "No matter how bad the economy is, we have never experienced such desperation as with this COVID-19."

In response to their heartfelt voices, Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Soo-young) has decided to promote the second phase of the Good Consumption campaign to bring a warm breeze to the frozen local economy.

Yangcheon-gu’s Good Consumption campaign in the first half of the year, aimed at helping small business owners suffering from decreased sales, served as a catalyst for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ nationwide Good Payment campaign, leading to nationwide participation.

Good Payment is a way to support favorite stores by prepaying a certain amount and promising to return.

This time, with the first Chuseok holiday after COVID-19 approaching, the campaign encourages refraining from visiting hometowns and promotes consumption at neighborhood stores. From September 15, an event is underway where residents who submit receipts of 100,000 KRW or more spent at restaurants, beauty salons, flower shops, etc., to their local community service center will receive five masks and hand sanitizer?essential items for COVID-19 prevention?on a first-come, first-served basis.

'Yangcheon Economy We Save Day' is a campaign directly participated in by employees. Amid prolonged social distancing and soaring food ingredient prices due to the long rainy season this summer, which have deepened the woes of the dining industry, employees support struggling restaurants through small team dining outings called 'Dining Day.' Other events born from employees’ ideas include 'Department Head Treats,' where snacks are purchased at traditional markets to encourage COVID-19 frontline workers, and 'Flower Dream Day,' which promotes flower gifting in celebration of the autumnal equinox.

Some books for the Central Library, scheduled to open next year, are also being purchased in advance. This is to help save local bookstores, which are gradually disappearing under pressure from large bookstores. The department has also decided to actively use local bookstores when purchasing books needed for work.

COVID-19 is still ongoing, and no one can predict when it will end. It is called the With COVID-19 era, meaning we must live with COVID-19. The current hardships and the uncertain future are truly disheartening.

Nevertheless, Yangcheon-gu’s efforts to share pain, foster hope, and participate in positive influence continue.

Mayor Kim Soo-young said, “The Good Consumption campaign that started in Yangcheon-gu last April was a model of positive influence sharing the values of coexistence and sharing. Although these are difficult times for everyone, I believe that if we unite our strength once again, this crisis will become a ‘We-gi’ (We 起) ? a driving force that allows us to rise together.”

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