Gangjin-gun, 10% Discount on Gangjin Sarang Gift Certificates 365 Days a Year

Up to 1 Million Won Per Month Usable with 900,000 Won

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, is receiving great response from local residents by selling the local currency Gangjin Sarang Gift Certificates at a 10% discount throughout the year.

Exterior view of Gangjin-gun Office
[Photo by Gangjin-gun]

According to the county on the 1st, the total amount of Gangjin Sarang Gift Certificates issued until the end of this year is 50 billion KRW, consisting of 40 billion KRW for general issuance sold to residents and 10 billion KRW for policy issuance such as moving-in incentives and childcare allowances.

The monthly purchase limit by type of gift certificate is 500,000 KRW for paper and card types, and 500,000 KRW for mobile (Zero Pay), allowing a maximum purchase of 1 million KRW per month. By receiving a 10% discount, residents can purchase for 900,000 KRW and use 1 million KRW.

Paper gift certificates can be purchased at 21 financial institutions within the county, while card and mobile (Zero Pay) types can be purchased 24 hours a day through an app.

Compared to local currencies of neighboring counties and cities, Gangjin-gun’s gift certificates have a high usage rate due to a constant 10% discount throughout the year and exemption from merchant exchange fees, resulting in steadily increasing sales. As of the end of January, there are 1,316 affiliated merchants boasting a high affiliation rate, and merchant recruitment is accepted at any time.

Resident A said, “On the 1st of every month, I purchase 1 million KRW worth of Gangjin Sarang Gift Certificates for 900,000 KRW and use them for shopping and vehicle refueling throughout the month. The 10% discount helps with household expenses, and since there are many affiliated merchants, I can use it anywhere. I hope the 10% discount continues.”

Im Seong-su, head of the Population Policy Division, said, “Since its issuance in 2012, Gangjin Sarang Gift Certificates have achieved sales of 144.2 billion KRW, significantly contributing to the sales increase of small business owners within Gangjin-gun. We will continue to increase the number of affiliated merchants available for steady use and work hard to prevent illegal distribution to help the local economy.”