Win-Win Payback Poster. Ministry of SMEs and Startups

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According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups on October 17, the number of Digital Onnuri app users reached 12.3 million as of October 15. This surge of 9.5 million new users followed the start of Win-Win Payback applications on September 15. Win-Win Payback is a program for citizens aged 19 and older, which refunds 20% of the increase in monthly card spending from September to November over last year's monthly average, up to a maximum of 100,000 won per month, as digital Onnuri gift certificates. To apply for Win-Win Payback and use the refund, users must install and register on the Digital Onnuri app.

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Not only the number of registered users but also the monthly active users (MAU) have increased significantly. The Digital Onnuri app was relaunched in March, integrating both mobile and card payment functions for Onnuri gift certificates. According to Mobile Index by data platform company IGAWorks, Digital Onnuri had 1.61 million users in March. The number fluctuated slightly until it reached 1.85 million in August. However, in September, coinciding with the launch of Win-Win Payback applications, the number soared to 4.97 million-an increase of 3.12 million users. This is a 169% growth rate, making it the app with the largest user increase last month according to Mobile Index analysis. The second-highest increase was the secondhand trading app Danggeun, with only 900,000 new users, highlighting the remarkable growth of Digital Onnuri.

A sign indicating acceptance of Onnuri gift certificates is displayed at a shop in a traditional market in downtown Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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Industry experts say the activation of Digital Onnuri is also significant as a small business support policy, since Onnuri gift certificates are mainly used in traditional markets and local commercial districts. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups aims to accelerate the digital transformation of small businesses through policies utilizing various big data, and the foundation of 10 million registered users and 5 million monthly active users is expected to drive these policies forward. The ministry plans to prioritize expanding the usage locations for Digital Onnuri and improving app services, so that gift certificates can be used more conveniently.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that a total of 10.58 million people applied for Win-Win Payback during its first month, and 241.4 billion won was paid out as payback in September. As of October 9, 4.15 million people were eligible for payback, with the average payment per person being approximately 58,000 won. Lee Daegun, Director of Small Business Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Win-Win Payback is a policy where citizens' participation in consumption directly leads to revitalizing the real economy."