"Some Receive, Some Don't" - What Do You Think About the 10,000 Won Refund for Delivery App Users?

Starting Today, Get a 10,000 Won Refund After Ordering Food 4 Times via Delivery Apps
Controversy Over 'Fairness' as Those Not Using Delivery Apps Can't Receive Refunds

Food Order Screen on Delivery App
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A policy that refunds 10,000 won when ordering and paying for food four times through delivery applications (apps) is causing controversy over fairness.

Those who do not use delivery apps immediately are expressing frustrated criticism, saying "the idea itself is absurd." Some even point out, "Is this a policy to promote delivery apps?"

As dining out decreased and non-face-to-face situations became the norm due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of delivery apps increased. Although this is a kind of subsidy supporting food payment amounts, there is criticism that the policy failed to carefully consider the situations of those who cannot or do not use delivery apps.

From the 29th, if you order and pay for food four times through delivery apps, you will be refunded 10,000 won. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that starting at 10 a.m. on that day, if you make four card payments of 20,000 won or more through delivery apps, you will receive a 10,000 won cashback or billing discount from the card company next month as part of the dining discount support. The refund period lasts until the budget is exhausted.

The delivery apps involved are Baedal Tteukgeup, Wemakeprice O, Meokkebi, Baedal Minjok, Yogiyo, Coupang Eats, and PAYCO, totaling seven. Dingdong, Baedal-ui Myeongsu, Bureusim, and Bureusim Zero, four more, will be added after system maintenance. Nine card companies participating include Kookmin, Nonghyup, Lotte, BC, Woori, Samsung, Shinhan, Hana, and Hyundai.

Delivery couriers are using motorcycles to deliver ordered food. [Image source=Yonhap News]

To receive the 10,000 won refund, consumers must apply for participation through their card company and then make four card payments of 20,000 won or more on the participating delivery apps. Refund discounts are only available for orders and payments made through delivery apps, and up to two times per day per card company are allowed.

Also, after ordering and paying through the delivery app, picking up takeout food by visiting the store is allowed, but face-to-face payment with the delivery person or on-site payment at the store followed by takeout is excluded from the 10,000 won refund criteria. Simple payments on delivery apps are only recognized as valid if linked to the registered card.

The problem is that those who do not use delivery apps are inevitably excluded from the government's "10,000 won refund policy for delivery app use." Comments on related articles immediately include critical opinions such as "What about elderly people who cannot use delivery apps? Won't they miss out on the 10,000 won?"

Crumpled 10,000 won bill [Image source=Yonhap News]

There are also many complaints from people who use delivery apps but do not meet the four-time order and payment criteria required for the 10,000 won refund.

Kim, a company employee in his 30s, said, "I do order food using delivery apps, but very occasionally," adding, "To meet the 10,000 won refund criteria, don't I have to order delivery food a lot?" He emphasized, "Although it is not disaster relief funds, policies with a kind of support fund nature during the COVID-19 situation should carefully consider fairness and effectiveness in detail."

Meanwhile, there are concerns that the policy may cause a surge in orders, leading to safety accidents among delivery workers. Lee, a university student in his 20s, said, "Delivery volumes are already surging, raising concerns about various accidents involving delivery workers. With this policy and the COVID-19 situation overlapping, orders are likely to soar even more." He expressed worry, saying, "I hope there won't be accidents caused by rushing deliveries."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "For restaurants that could not participate in this event, we will consult with quarantine authorities to enable quick participation once COVID-19 conditions improve. Next year's project will be supplemented to ensure no restaurants are excluded from dining discount support, and we plan to assist dining businesses in adopting non-face-to-face business methods through consulting support."

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