New App 'SeoulPay+' Available from 22nd
Payments Possible with Shinhan and Other Credit Cards
Metropolitan + Local Gift Certificates Can Be Combined for Payment
From now on, Seoul Love Gift Certificates can be purchased using various credit cards. It will also be possible to make 'combined payments' for metropolitan and local gift certificates.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 9th that it has revamped the Seoul Love Gift Certificate purchase and payment app, 'Seoul Pay Plus (+)'. The new app will be available for download and use starting at 9 a.m. on the 22nd. Users must complete a simple consent procedure to register as new members.
However, due to the transfer of gift certificate amounts following the selection of new sales agencies, the existing app will be unavailable from midnight on the 15th until 9 a.m. on the 22nd, during which time gift certificates cannot be used. Last November, the city selected the Bizplay Consortium as the new sales agency, replacing the Shinhan Consortium, and began developing the new app.
Previously, gift certificates could only be purchased with Shinhan Card on the old app, but the new app allows payments through various cards such as Hana, Kookmin, Samsung, and Hyundai. Regardless of the type or number of payment cards, the total amount of gift certificates that can be purchased by card is 1 million KRW. The city plans to expand this to all card companies in the future.
A combined payment function for gift certificates has also been introduced. Until now, if the total payment amount was 50,000 KRW with 30,000 KRW in metropolitan gift certificates and 20,000 KRW in local gift certificates, payment had to be made twice separately. With the new app, both gift certificates can be combined and paid for in a single transaction.
Refunds are also faster when canceling payments. Previously, gift certificates were restored immediately only if canceled on the same day, but with the new app, gift certificates are restored immediately upon cancellation regardless of the cancellation date.
There will be limits on the amount that can be received as gift certificates. Metropolitan gift certificates are limited to 1 million KRW per month, and district gift certificates to 1.5 million KRW per month. The city expects that these limits on gift receipt amounts will reduce fraudulent transactions where money is received between individuals without actually gifting the certificates.
To prevent confusion following the launch of the new app, the city explained that it completed pre-payment tests with 5,500 affiliated stores and focused on system upgrades to ensure stable payments even if there is a temporary surge in purchase demand.
Choi Seon-hye, head of the Seoul Small Business Support Division, said, "We carefully conducted technical verification during the selection of new sales agencies and improved Seoul Pay Plus with a user-centered approach. Through the launch of the new Seoul Pay Plus, we will enhance user satisfaction with Seoul Love Gift Certificates and strive to ensure that these certificates contribute to revitalizing the local economy."
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