Shoppers browse at Sinyeong Market in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on Thursday, where a Chuseok Onuri gift voucher cashback event for farm and livestock products at traditional markets is underway. [Yonhap]
Shoppers browse at Sinyeong Market in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on Thursday, where a Chuseok Onuri gift voucher cashback event for farm and livestock products at traditional markets is underway. [Yonhap]

Ahead of Chuseok, the Korean autumn harvest holiday, a cashback event has launched at traditional markets across the country, offering shoppers up to 30 percent of their purchase price back in Onuri gift vouchers when they buy agricultural, livestock or seafood products.

The government organized the event to ease the financial burden of Chuseok shopping and boost spending at traditional markets. Running from Wednesday through Sunday, the event is being held at 300 markets nationwide — 100 more than last year — making it the largest such event on record.

In Seoul, the cashback program is available at 44 seafood markets — including Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market, Garak Market, Tongin Market and Cheongnyangni General Market — and at 49 agricultural and livestock markets, including Gyeongdong Market, Namdaemun Market, Majang Livestock Market, Mangwon Market and Yeongdeungpo Traditional Market.

Customers who purchase domestically produced agricultural or livestock products, or domestic or deep-sea seafood, can receive up to 30 percent of their purchase price back, capped at 20,000 won ($15) per person. Those who spend between 34,000 won and 66,999 won receive 10,000 won back, while those who spend 67,000 won or more receive 20,000 won.

Cashback counters operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shoppers should bring their purchase receipt and a form of identification to the designated cashback counter inside the market.

Cashback procedures, event periods and minimum purchase thresholds may vary by market, so visitors are advised to check the details for their intended market before heading out. Full event information is available on the websites of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Shoppers receive Onuri gift voucher cashback at Sinyeong Market in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on Thursday, as part of a Chuseok event for farm and livestock products at traditional markets. [Yonhap]
Shoppers receive Onuri gift voucher cashback at Sinyeong Market in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on Thursday, as part of a Chuseok event for farm and livestock products at traditional markets. [Yonhap]

Separately from the cashback event, Seoul is also running a Chuseok discount program at 61 traditional markets and alley shopping districts, offering up to 30 percent off holiday staples and agricultural, livestock and seafood products. At 42 of those venues, shoppers can receive an additional cashback of up to 30 percent of their purchase in Onuri gift vouchers on top of the in-store discount. Using discounted digital Onuri gift vouchers or Seoul Love gift vouchers at these locations can reduce the holiday shopping bill even further.

Through Sunday, digital Onuri gift vouchers can be purchased at a 10 percent discount on amounts up to 200,000 won. Amounts above that threshold carry the standard 7 percent discount, up to the existing cap of 1 million won. During the promotional period, the purchase limit rises by an additional 200,000 won, bringing the total cap to 1.2 million won ($877).

Meanwhile, the government is also running agricultural, livestock and seafood discount events through hypermarkets and online shopping platforms, not just traditional markets.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is holding a "Korea Seafood Festival — Chuseok Special" from Sept. 9 through Oct. 4, offering up to 50 percent off major seafood products at 56 marts and online platforms nationwide. The event is backed by a record 44 billion won ($32.2 million) in seafood discount support funding.


betterj@heraldcorp.com