Korean Supermarket Federation Gyeonggi Member Cooperative: "Gyeonggi-do Disaster Basic Income is a Blessing in Drought"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Nine member cooperatives in the Gyeonggi region of the Korea Supermarket Cooperative Federation have requested that the second disaster basic income provided by Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung be used at local supermarkets, describing it as a 'survival strategy.'

The member cooperatives in the Gyeonggi region stated in a press release on the 9th, "Due to COVID-19 lasting over a year, the damage to small business owners, including supermarkets which represent neighborhood commercial districts, has been snowballing," adding, "In this situation, Governor Lee Jae-myung's second disaster basic income (100,000 KRW per person) is a welcome relief like rain in a drought and represents a survival strategy carried out at the most difficult and critical moment for small business owners."

They continued, "Ahead of the Lunar New Year, social distancing level 2.5 and bans on gatherings of five or more people continue during the holiday period, with prohibitions on family gatherings and discouraged hometown visits, creating an unusual holiday atmosphere compared to previous years, which has led to decreased demand for gift sets and concerns over declining sales," adding, "We expect that the disaster basic income support from Gyeonggi Province will revitalize neighborhood commercial districts and maximize the economic effect of boosting sales."

They also expressed gratitude, saying, "Many supermarket cooperative members in the Gyeonggi region have found small comfort through this disaster basic income from Gyeonggi Province, becoming a beacon of hope for neighborhood commercial districts," and "We thank Governor Lee Jae-myung for his sincere decision."

The member cooperatives in the Gyeonggi region include Bucheon City, Southern Gyeonggi, Goyang City, Eastern Gyeonggi, Ansan City, Gwangmyeong City, Northern Gyeonggi, Gimpo, and Northeastern Gyeonggi, totaling nine locations.

Im Won-bae, Chairman of the Korea Supermarket Cooperative Federation, said, "Ahead of the holiday season, we will sincerely serve consumers together with the nine supermarket cooperative members in the Gyeonggi region to ensure that consumers have no inconvenience in using the disaster basic income," and requested, "Please actively use the disaster basic income at local supermarkets that are struggling due to COVID-19."

Earlier, Gyeonggi Province decided to provide 100,000 KRW per person to 13.84 million residents and has been accepting applications online since the 1st. As of the 8th, over 60% of the total residents had applied. Accordingly, the province abolished the day-of-the-week application system based on birth year on the 9th. On-site applications will begin next month. Additionally, from April, applications will be accepted from foreign residents living in Gyeonggi Province.

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