Unique Return Gifts ... Pohang City's Hometown Love Donation System Proves Urban Competitiveness

3,751 Contributions to Hometown Love Donation Campaign by the 18th, Unique Return Gift Strategy

98.2% of Donors Gave 100,000 KRW or Less... A Milestone for Establishing Donation Culture

Pohang City has demonstrated its urban competitiveness through the hometown love donation system, which was implemented for the first time this year.

Mayor Lee Gang-deok of Pohang is expressing gratitude for the enthusiastic interest shown in Pohang City's Hometown Love Donation Program this year.

As of the 18th, the number of participations in Pohang City's hometown love donation system reached 3,751 cases, of which donations under 100,000 KRW accounted for 3,684 cases, representing 98.2% of all donations.

The hometown love donation system involves donating to regions other than one's place of residence, so the choice of donation area depends on the image the region has built and the appeal of the return gifts. Pohang City attracted donors' hearts based on its accumulated external recognition and unique return gifts reflecting local specialties such as Gwamegi.

In particular, from November, when participation intensifies ahead of year-end tax settlements, until the 18th of this month, out of 1,771 donations made to Pohang City, 874 were from residents of Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon areas, accounting for 49.4%, proving Pohang's recognition in the metropolitan area.

Among the return gifts, the recently selected winter delicacy of Pohang, "Gwamegi," which is in season, was chosen by 42.5% of donors, surpassing the Pohang Love Gift Certificate (22.6%), which had been the most popular so far.

A Pohang City official stated, "Encouraging participation from donors contributing under 100,000 KRW is a key strategy to create a sustainable donation culture," adding, "We plan to actively discover and intensively promote attractive return gifts that can capture donors' attention seasonally, such as winter Gwamegi, spring wild raspberries, and summer surfing experiences."

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, "We deeply appreciate the warm love sent to Pohang throughout this year and will support the fulfillment of donors' wishes in the new year," and added, "The hometown love donation system is an important policy for revitalizing the local economy, expanding local finances, and enhancing external recognition, so we ask for continued interest and participation from many people."

The hometown love donation system is a program designed to establish a sustainable donation culture, where donations made to local governments other than the donor's address are used by the local government for residents' welfare, and donors receive return gifts and tax benefits.