Gangwon Province Launches Crackdown on Illegal Distribution of 'Gangwon Gift Certificates'

Joint City and County Operation from the 16th to 31st... Plan to Request Investigation on Major Issues

Reference photo [Provided by Gangwon-do]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province announced on the 14th that it will conduct a comprehensive crackdown on the illegal distribution of Gangwon gift certificates from the 16th to the 31st.

The main targets of the crackdown are ▲receiving gift certificates without selling goods or providing services (so-called 'Kkang') ▲receiving gift certificates through transactions exceeding actual sales amounts ▲acting as an exchange agent for gift certificates fraudulently received by individual franchise stores ▲refusing gift certificate payments or treating gift certificate holders disadvantageously ▲franchise owners continuously purchasing gift certificates under another person's name and exchanging them.

The crackdown will be conducted by directly visiting franchise stores together with city and county inspection teams based on data provided by the operating company and reports from residents about illegal distribution.

Additionally, inspections will be carried out on franchise stores suspected of excessive exchanges, cancellation of ghost store registrations, checking franchise compliance, and preemptive guidance activities against illegal exchanges.

Those who illegally distribute local love gift certificates or engage in illegal exchanges will be fined up to 10 million KRW for the first violation, 15 million KRW for the second violation, and up to 20 million KRW for the third or subsequent violations.

Minor issues such as failure to comply with regulations will receive administrative measures such as guidance, on-site correction, recommendations, or franchise registration cancellation. Serious cases suspected of major illegal distribution will be referred for investigation.

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