Yongsan-gu, 25% Reduction in 2020 Regular Road Occupancy Fees

Temporary Reduction of Road Occupancy Fees for Vehicle Entrances and Protruding Signs to Support Businesses and Households Struggling Due to COVID-19... 25% Refund for Payers... Apply by the End of This Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seongjang Hyun) will reduce the 2020 regular road occupancy fees by 25% to support businesses and households struggling due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

This decision follows the results of the 14th COVID-19 Economic Ministers' Meeting and the 4th Crisis Management Countermeasures Meeting held in April.

Road occupancy fees are imposed annually on those who occupy roads after obtaining prior permission, based on Article 61 (Permission for Road Occupancy) and Article 66 (Collection of Occupancy Fees) of the Road Act.

This time, the district's road occupancy fee reduction applies to 1,004 cases, amounting to 600 million KRW. By type, vehicle entrances and exits account for the largest number with 485 cases, followed by protruding signboards (189 cases), street vendors (168 cases), private guide signs (144 cases), and connecting corridors (18 cases).

The reduction targets all private business operators and individuals, including small business owners. Those who have not paid will receive the reduction, and those who have already paid will be refunded 25% of the principal.

A district official stated, "Those who have already paid must submit an application form for the refund of the reduced amount to the district office by the end of this month via fax or mail," and added, "Please carefully review the notice regarding the road occupancy fee reduction and refund measures sent by the district."

Additionally, the official noted, "For those who have not paid or have not been charged, revised payment notices will be newly issued within this month."

The road occupancy fee reduction is a temporary measure only for this year. Next year, fees will be calculated again based on the pre-reduction standards. Existing reduction targets (government and public facilities) are excluded from this reduction.

Seongjang Hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "The district is doing its best to overcome COVID-19," and added, "We will also prepare additional measures to revitalize commercial districts."

In April, the district also reduced rent by 50% for small business owners leasing district-owned properties (buildings).

The reduction period is from February to July, and the reduction targets are small business owners and small enterprises affected by COVID-19 who are using buildings owned by Yongsan-gu. The reduction amount reached 45 million KRW as of the end of June.

Furthermore, the district plans to lead economic recovery by employing all possible methods, including ▲ lowering loan interest rates for small, youth enterprises, and small business owners ▲ operating a customized bidding information system ▲ prioritizing the purchase of small business products ▲ issuing Yongsan Love Gift Certificates ▲ supporting businesses visited by confirmed COVID-19 patients.