5 percent discount sale on the 'Seoul Pay+' app starts at 1 p.m. Thursday, steering holiday spending toward local merchants and alley shops
Eunpyeong-gu in Seoul will issue 2 billion won ($1.49 million) worth of "Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates" on Thursday, ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The certificates aim to ease residents' grocery bills and inject vitality into local commercial districts.
The certificates go on sale at a 5 percent discount starting at 1 p.m. Thursday through the Seoul Pay+ app. Each person may purchase up to 500,000 won worth per month, with a maximum holding limit of 1.5 million won.
The certificates can be used at Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificate-affiliated merchants within Eunpyeong-gu and remain valid for five years from the date of purchase. A list of affiliated merchants is available on the Seoul Pay app.
Buyers can cancel unused certificates for a full refund. For certificates purchased via bank transfer or debit card, buyers may receive a refund of the remaining balance once at least 60 percent of the purchased amount has been used.
Eunpyeong-gu previously issued 5 billion won worth of the certificates ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, selling out the entire supply and recording a usage rate exceeding 80 percent.
The district expects this Chuseok issuance to similarly ease residents' spending burden ahead of the holiday while channeling local consumption toward small business owners and alley shops, giving the local economy a boost.
"I hope the Eunpyeong Love Gift Certificates ease the financial burden on residents ahead of Chuseok while also energizing local commercial districts," said Kim Mi-kyung, Eunpyeong-gu district mayor. "We will continue to pursue various policies that provide real help to the local economy."
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