City secures national funding for temporary cashback expansion; 200 million won in consumer incentives also planned for November
Daejeon will temporarily expand cashback benefits under its Ontong Daejeon local payment program from Thursday through Nov. 15, coinciding with the 2026 Korea Grand Festival, after the Ministry of Interior and Safety allocated additional national funds to the city. The city will also run a 200 million won consumer incentive event in November to stimulate local spending.
Daejeon plans to use the additional national funding to broaden Ontong Daejeon benefits, easing the financial burden on residents while injecting new energy into local commercial districts.
Drawing on 795 million won in national subsidies from the Ministry of Interior and Safety as well as previously secured national funds, the city will raise cashback rates for the duration of the Korea Grand Festival. General users will receive 15% cashback, while welfare recipients will be eligible for up to 18%.
The expanded benefit is being rolled out in conjunction with the Korea Grand Festival to maximize the effect on consumer activity, city officials said.
Alongside this, the city will hold a consumer promotion event called "Ontong Daejeon Spending ON! Lucky ON!" from Sunday through Nov. 25.
Participants who accumulate at least 300,000 won in payments at five or more Ontong Daejeon-affiliated merchants during the event period will be automatically entered into a draw — no separate application required. Hagwon are excluded from the program. About 38,000 winners will be selected by lottery and awarded Ontong Cash and other prizes totaling 200 million won in consumer support funds.
The event is expected to encourage spending across a range of affiliated merchants — including traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts — fostering a virtuous cycle of local consumption and boosting sales for small business owners.
"We were able to expand Ontong Daejeon benefits during the Korea Grand Festival thanks to the additional national funding from the Ministry of Interior and Safety," a Daejeon city official said. "We will do our best in promotion and operations to ease the spending burden on residents and provide real, tangible support to local small businesses and neighborhood commercial districts."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
