K-Black Friday 'Kosepe' Opens... Radical Discounts on Daily Necessities for 15 Days

Korea Sale Festa Opens... From Next Month 1st to 15th

A promotional banner is hung on the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, on October 31 last year, one day before the start of the Korea Sale Festa, known as the "Korean Black Friday." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Junhyung] The 'Korea Sale Festa (Kosepe),' known as the Korean version of Black Friday, will take place from the 1st of next month.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 31st that Kosepe will run for fifteen days from the 1st to the 15th of next month. The core focus of this year's Kosepe is 'revitalizing the domestic market.' Given the recent soaring inflation, the ministry aims to boost consumer sentiment through large-scale discount events. Accordingly, the ministry plans to hold the 'Super Weekend' event from the 4th to the 6th of next month in collaboration with distribution and manufacturing companies. Major large marts such as Emart and Homeplus will conduct their representative annual discount events during the Super Weekend period.

Home appliances will also be heavily discounted. Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, as well as Otek Carrier are participating in this year's Kosepe. Home appliance companies including Samsung Electronics plan to sell major appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners at 25-30% discounted prices during the Super Weekend period. Specific discount periods and items will be announced on each manufacturer’s official website.

Kimjang season discount events will also be held. More than 2,200 Nonghyup Hanaro Marts nationwide will promote discounts on freshly delivered kimjang vegetables and kimjang supplies from the 10th of next month until December 17th. The monthly purchase limit for Onnuri gift certificates usable at Hanaro Mart will be increased to a maximum of 1 million won. When using Onnuri gift certificates, customers can receive up to a 10% discount.

The government has also significantly relaxed portrait rights restrictions for the promotional model Cha Tae-hyun. Cha Tae-hyun’s side agreed to allow the use of his portrait rights in all industries except for the two currently active sectors of finance and health functional foods. As a result, small and medium-sized enterprises can actively use photos of promotional model Cha Tae-hyun to promote their products.

Meanwhile, the Kosepe opening ceremony scheduled for the day was canceled as a tribute to the victims of the Itaewon tragedy. The opening ceremony originally planned to be attended by First Vice Minister Jang Young-jin of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and promotional model Cha Tae-hyun, among others.

Minister Lee Chang-yang of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, "We will establish a cooperative system with the industry and local governments so that citizens can shop in a safe and secure environment," adding, "We will make every effort to ensure safety and quarantine management at large distribution facilities and outdoor event venues where many people gather."

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