Minister of Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung (left) and Woowa Brothers President Yun Seok-jun pose for a photo after signing an MOU to promote the use of "good price" establishments at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Monday morning. [Ministry of Interior and Safety]
Minister of Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung (left) and Woowa Brothers President Yun Seok-jun pose for a photo after signing an MOU to promote the use of "good price" establishments at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Monday morning. [Ministry of Interior and Safety]

The Ministry of Interior and Safety signed a memorandum of understanding with Woowa Brothers, the operator of food delivery platform Baemin, at Government Complex Seoul on Monday to promote the use of so-called "good price" establishments — businesses that offer lower prices and quality service compared with nearby competitors.

The signing ceremony brought together public and private sector partners to boost patronage of good price establishments and ease the cost-of-living burden on households amid high inflation.

Operators and customers of good price establishments attended the ceremony in person, sharing on-the-ground concerns and exchanging ideas on practical ways to drive more visits.

Under the MOU, the two organizations agreed to cooperate closely in four areas: online promotion of good price establishments and efforts to increase their use; discount events run through the Baemin delivery platform; sharing of program-related information and production of promotional content; and identifying joint projects to further develop the initiative.

As a first step, Woowa Brothers will run a discount event starting Monday, Aug. 17, offering 3,000-won coupons on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 3,000 customers who order from a good price establishment through the Baemin app.

Details on the event schedule and how to participate will be available through the Baemin app.

Alongside this, the two parties will actively promote the good price establishment program through Baemin's dedicated "Together Store" section and strengthen its visibility with permanent in-app exposure.

The good price establishment program, a flagship price-stability initiative supporting everyday consumers, had 12,645 participating businesses nationwide as of the end of June. The government has been diversifying its support to ensure the program's stable operation and expansion.

Designated establishments receive a range of benefits, including supplies support, reductions on local public utility charges, free safety inspections of electrical and gas facilities, and a deferral of regular tax audits for up to two years.

To draw more customers, the government also provides 2,000-won discounts through nine card companies and a map app search service. Various public participation events run in parallel, including the award of a sterling silver commemorative medal to customers who complete a visit-verification challenge.

"Good price establishments are cherished shops that people can use without financial strain in their daily lives, serving as a pillar of price stability even in difficult economic conditions," Minister Yun Ho-jung said. "I hope this collaboration using Woowa Brothers' Baemin will breathe new vitality into good price establishments, and we will continue to listen more closely to voices from the field."


thlee@heraldcorp.com