Seoul’s Gangseo District plans to issue “Seoul Gangseo Sarang Gift Certificates” worth a total of 10 billion won on the 17th, just ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The district has nearly doubled the issuance size from the previous 3 billion to 6 billion won to alleviate the shopping burden on residents and boost the local economy.
Upon purchase, a 7% immediate discount will be applied, along with an additional 3% payback on payment amounts, allowing for a maximum benefit of up to 10%. This represents a 3% increase compared to the 7% discount available until July.
The certificates can be purchased up to 500,000 won per person starting at 5 p.m. on the 17th via the dedicated app “Seoul Pay Plus (Seoul Pay+).” Individuals can hold up to 1.5 million won, and the usage period is five years from the date of issuance. For corporations, there is no limit on holdings, but the discount benefits do not apply.
The certificates can be used in approximately 26,000 affiliated stores within the Gangseo District, such as restaurants, hair salons, pharmacies, and convenience stores. When used, consumers can receive a 30% income tax deduction, and stores are exempted from payment fees, providing practical benefits to both consumers and small business owners.
This September, the certificates will be issued temporarily at 5 p.m. on the 17th, but starting in October, they will be regularly issued on the first Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m.
Last year, Gangseo District issued certificates worth 40 billion won, and this year, it will expand its issuance by an additional 12 billion won, for a total of 52 billion won.
An official from the district stated, “We have expanded the issuance scale to provide tangible benefits to residents and revitalize the local economy ahead of Chuseok,” and added, “We will continue with policies that reduce the financial burden on households and rejuvenate the regional economy.”