The registrations of about 147,000 Onnuri gift voucher merchants are set to expire in October, marking the first large-scale renewal since the registration validity period system was introduced. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it will streamline the application process and deploy additional field support staff to minimize confusion.
Vice Minister Lee Byeong-gwon convened a meeting Monday on heat wave response at traditional markets and the Onnuri voucher merchant renewal process, reviewing renewal status by region and discussing support measures. The meeting also addressed how traditional markets are coping with the ongoing heat wave.
The merchant registration validity period system was introduced in April 2023 following an amendment to the Special Act on the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts. With the validity period set at three years, this year marks the first time a large-scale renewal has come due.
The registrations of about 147,000 Onnuri voucher merchants expire on Oct. 18. Affected merchants must complete their renewal applications by Oct. 8, 10 days before the expiration date. The application window runs from July 19 to Oct. 8. Applications can be submitted online or by visiting, faxing or emailing the relevant regional office of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
The ministry simplified the application process to reduce confusion during the large-scale renewal. By tapping the government's shared administrative data network and the MyData system, merchants no longer need to submit separate copies of their business registration certificates or sales documentation.
In addition, the ministry revised the system to allow merchants associations to collect and submit renewal applications on behalf of member stores in a single batch, easing the burden on individual shop owners. Twenty additional support staff will be assigned to regional offices during the renewal period to guide applicants and review submitted documents.
The ministry also plans to notify eligible merchants through KakaoTalk alerts and push notifications on the Digital Onnuri app, and will work with the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, the Korea Merchants Federation, 16 financial institutions handling Onnuri vouchers, and currency-exchange partner merchants to strengthen application assistance and outreach.
The ministry is operating a merchant validity renewal TF involving its headquarters, regional offices and the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency to monitor renewal progress daily and hold bimonthly review meetings. It also plans to coordinate with local governments to reach out to merchants that have yet to apply.
As Onnuri voucher usage expands, managing the merchant network has grown more important. Amid rising voucher usage at traditional markets and shopping districts driven by the spread of digital Onnuri vouchers, the large-scale renewal is expected to serve as an opportunity to recheck whether merchants are actually operating and whether they still meet eligibility requirements. The ministry said it will strengthen outreach through local governments and relevant agencies to prevent merchants from missing the renewal deadline and losing the ability to accept vouchers.
"We will improve the convenience of the application process and strengthen field-focused guidance and outreach so that all eligible merchants can complete their renewals smoothly within the deadline," Vice Minister Lee said. "We will also quickly identify difficulties raised in the field and continue to make improvements."
boo@heraldcorp.com
