Vice Minister Ki Jae: "From the 24th, 'Korea Together Sale'... Creating a Nationwide Consumption Boom"

Two-week event until July 11 with participation from over 2,870 large and small businesses
Special discount sales on Onnuri gift certificates, incentives with agricultural and marine product discount coupons
Concurrent use of non-face-to-face dining coupons and online performance coupons
"Youth and women employment measures are showing results... Support strengthened through supplementary budget"

Lee Eok-won, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, speaking at the "21st Policy Review Meeting" at 9:30 a.m. on the 11th at the Government Seoul Office. (Photo by Ministry of Economy and Finance)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Lee Eokwon, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, stated on the 11th that "the Korea Together Sale will contribute to creating a nationwide consumption boom."

At the policy inspection meeting and price-related vice ministers' meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Vice Minister Lee said regarding the preparations for the second Korea Together Sale of the year, "It will be a win-win event centered on non-face-to-face and online formats, strengthening the connection between central and local governments and providing various food and entertainment."

The government will hold the Korea Together Sale event from the 24th of this month to the 11th of next month. About 2,420 small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, 300 large corporations and large-small distribution companies, and 150 traditional markets, totaling approximately 2,870 large and small enterprises, will participate. They plan to accelerate domestic demand revitalization by supporting online and offline store openings and promotions, special discount sales of Onnuri gift certificates, and issuing discount coupons for agricultural and marine products.

Additionally, since last month, a non-face-to-face dining discount coupon policy has been implemented, which refunds 10,000 KRW when ordering four times or more with a delivery app for over 20,000 KRW each time, and an online performance coupon policy that discounts 8,000 KRW per online performance ticket. Through various incentives, they plan to support consumption recovery. Vice Minister Lee urged, "I ask for much interest and participation so that this Together Sale event can serve as a breakthrough for domestic demand recovery in the first half of the year and become a successful first runner in the 'consumption promotion relay' continuing with the Korea Sale Festa in November and the Christmas Market in December."

Vice Minister Lee also reviewed the status of youth and women employment measures on the same day. According to him, as a result of the 'Youth Digital Job Project,' 43,000 young people were deployed to IT positions in small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-sized companies this year. Seventy-eight institutions are participating in the 'K-Digital Training,' a youth IT job support program, which is expected to provide educational opportunities to about 10,000 young people. About 118,000 young people participated in the 'National Employment Support System,' an unemployment assistance system for youth, career-interrupted women, and middle-aged people seeking reemployment. Vice Minister Lee also reported that women's job policies showed results. As of the end of last month, 6,400 people participated in the newly announced Saeil Women Intern Project in March, achieving 65% of this year's target.

He emphasized, "We will supplement support for vulnerable employment groups through supplementary budgets so that employment normalizes to pre-COVID-19 levels as soon as possible," adding, "Ultimately, we will expand the foundation for creating quality jobs in the private sector through deregulation and revitalizing startups."

Furthermore, he reviewed the progress of smart tourism, including the 'Travel Bubble' (travel safe zone) allowing travel without self-quarantine and non-landing flights. Recently, focusing on DNA (Data, Network, AI)-centered smart tourism, this year Daegu, Jeonnam, and others will be included as regional hubs for smart tourism cities, increasing the total to four locations. The Travel Bubble policy is expected to start next month.

Vice Minister Lee said, "We will do our best to make the travel safe zone initiative a turning point for Korea's tourism industry to leap forward again after COVID-19, ensuring that citizens can travel safely and with peace of mind."

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