SMEs Ministry Launches 15% Onnuri Gift Certificate Refund Event to Boost Consumption

"Korea Grand Festival" to Be Held Starting October 29
Up to 25% Off Onnuri Gift Certificates
Win-Win Consumption Lottery Event Expanded

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is revitalizing traditional markets through a special refund program for Onnuri Gift Certificates.

On October 2, the Ministry announced its plans for the "Korea Grand Festival" at a joint economic ministers' meeting. The Korea Grand Festival is a nationwide large-scale discount event aimed at boosting domestic consumption, and it will be held across the country from October 29 to November 9.

Yonhap News Agency

First, a special refund of up to 15% will be offered for digital Onnuri Gift Certificates. The refund rates are 5% for the Seoul metropolitan area, 10% for non-metropolitan areas, and 15% for depopulated rural areas and special disaster zones. When combined with the existing 10% recharge discount, consumers can enjoy benefits ranging from 15% to 25% depending on the region. For example, if someone recharges 10,000 won in a depopulated area, they only need to pay 9,000 won in cash, and after using the certificate, they will receive a 1,500 won refund in digital Onnuri Gift Certificates, resulting in a total discount of 2,500 won.

The "Win-Win Consumption Lottery" event will also be expanded. For every 50,000 won spent by card at traditional markets or small business establishments, customers will receive one lottery ticket (up to 10 tickets). The prize pool will be increased from 1 billion won to 2 billion won. Prizes will be awarded in digital Onnuri Gift Certificates, and the number of winners will be increased to 5,000. Notably, the first prize (20 million won) will be awarded to an applicant who spends a certain amount in a non-metropolitan area to promote local consumption. Additionally, the "Win-Win Payback" program, which returns 20% of increased card spending, will also be applied during the event period.

Special consumption events will also be held on both private and public delivery apps. Baemin (Baedal Minjok) will issue discount coupons for delivery and takeout nationwide, and run e-commerce discounts on B Mart and similar platforms. Public delivery apps such as Ttaenggyeoyo and Meokkaebi will offer instant discounts of 5,000 won on orders over 20,000 won.

Special exhibitions for foreign tourists will also take place. "Korea Special Zones" will be opened on global online malls such as eBay Japan and Shopee Southeast Asia, offering Korean products at discounts of up to 20%. In addition, global brand mall special exhibitions will feature discounts of up to 30%, focusing on K-beauty products.

Han Seong-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, stated, "It is an important time to spread and sustain the recovery in consumption, which has been achieved through policy efforts such as recent livelihood recovery consumption coupons, throughout the economy. All ministries will work together to ensure that this 'Korea Grand Festival' becomes a genuine discount event where the public can truly feel and benefit from the savings."

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