Pyeongtaek City Conducts Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Distribution of 'Pyeongtaek Sarang Gift Certificates'

Pyeongtaek City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 24th that it will conduct a comprehensive crackdown on illegal distribution of the local currency, 'Pyeongtaek Sarang Gift Certificate,' until the 31st to create a sound circulation environment.

The main targets of the crackdown are ▲receiving and exchanging Pyeongtaek Sarang Gift Certificates through illegal methods (commonly known as 'Kkang') ▲businesses in restricted categories handling the gift certificates ▲discriminating between Pyeongtaek Sarang Gift Certificates and cash. To ensure efficient enforcement, the city will operate a citizen reporting center during this period and select targets for investigation using an abnormal transaction detection system for affiliated stores.

If illegal activities are detected, the city will impose administrative measures such as on-site guidance or cancellation of store registration, and fines of up to 20 million KRW depending on the case. In particular, if serious illegal distribution is suspected, additional measures such as referral to investigative agencies will be taken.

Reports of illegal distribution of local currency can be made through the Pyeongtaek City Citizen Reporting Center or via the Gyeonggi Local Currency app or website's discriminatory transaction reporting feature. Park Chang-hee, head of the Pyeongtaek City Job and Economy Division, said, "We will strive to create a sound circulation environment so that citizens and affiliated store owners do not suffer damages."