"Usage Remains Difficult Despite More Locations"... Livelihood Recovery Coupons Remain Out of Reach for Rural Areas

Jeong Cheol of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Hosts Meeting on Local Currency and Livelihood Recovery Coupons
Township Branches Face Difficulties Due to Limited Product Selection

Jeong Cheol, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Jangseong 1), has raised the need for institutional improvements to address inconveniences in the use of livelihood recovery consumption coupons and local currency in rural areas.

On October 27, Assemblyman Jeong held a "Meeting to Improve the Use of Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons and Local Currency" in Jangseong County, where participants discussed the operational limitations of these systems caused by an aging population and underdeveloped consumer infrastructure in rural and fishing villages.

Jeong Cheol, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, held a "Meeting for the Recovery of People's Livelihoods, Consumer Coupons, and Improvement of Local Currency Usage Locations" in Jangseong County. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Assembly

This meeting was organized in response to ongoing concerns that, despite the expansion of places where livelihood recovery consumption coupons and local currency can be used, practical usage remains difficult in rural areas. More than 60 people attended, including Lee Gaeho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Hyunsook, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, Kim Yeonsu, a member of the Jangseong County Council, officials from Jeonnam Province and Jangseong County, executives and staff from Jangseong Nonghyup, and local residents.

Participants pointed out, "At the integrated Nonghyup Hanaro Mart stores in towns and townships, the range of available products is limited, making it difficult to use the coupons and local currency." They agreed that "institutional improvements, such as revising the operational guidelines for local gift certificates, are necessary to uphold the original purpose of the system."

Assemblyman Jeong stated, "The consumer environment in rural areas is different from that in cities. To preserve the intent of the livelihood recovery consumption coupon and local currency systems and to implement improvements suited to local realities, the provincial assembly will actively make recommendations to the central government."

On August 21, the government added 779 Hanaro Mart stores and 252 local food direct stores nationwide as designated locations for the use of livelihood recovery consumption coupons to enhance convenience. In Jeonnam Province, 141 Hanaro Mart stores and 37 local food direct stores were included; however, there are continued calls for further improvements to enhance accessibility and fairness for rural areas.

Meanwhile, the livelihood recovery consumption coupon is a government-issued consumption subsidy designed to restore the purchasing power of working- and middle-class citizens and revitalize the local economy. It can be used in conjunction with local currency.

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