Traditional Market Act Approved by Cabinet... Onnuri Gift Certificate Illegal Distribution Reporting Center to Be Established

Legal Basis Established for Supporting National Merchants Association Operating Expenses
Legal Foundation for Onnuri Gift Certificate Illegal Distribution Reporting Center

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on May 20 that an amendment to the "Special Act on the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts" (Traditional Market Act), which includes the establishment of a reporting center at the Small Enterprise and Market Service to prevent the illegal distribution of Onnuri gift certificates, was approved by the Cabinet.

This amendment was promoted to assign responsibilities and obligations to the legally recognized merchants' association by providing operational funding, and to implement a reward system for reporting illegal distribution of Onnuri gift certificates.

First, the government and local governments will be able to subsidize or support the operational costs of the merchants' association within the limits of their budgets. Although the National Merchants Association is the legally recognized body representing traditional markets and shopping districts nationwide, it has faced difficulties in smoothly carrying out its projects due to a lack of operational funds. Therefore, the amendment establishes the legal basis for government and local government support for the association’s operating expenses, aiming to promote the sustainable growth and development of traditional markets and shopping districts.

Next, the amendment provides a legal basis for the merchants' association to establish local chapters, enabling smoother implementation of region-specific projects. The costs required for the operation and project execution of these chapters may also be subsidized or supported by local governments within the limits of their budgets.

Government oversight of the merchants' association has also been strengthened. To reinforce supervision, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is now authorized to require the association to report on its operations and activities or to submit relevant documents, thereby establishing grounds for government oversight of the association’s affairs. In addition, the amendment clarifies the legal basis for the Onnuri gift certificate illegal distribution reporting center and the reward review committee.

Lee Daegun, Director of Small Business Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "With this amendment, we expect that the merchants' association will fulfill its role as a legally recognized body with a sense of public responsibility, enabling traditional markets and shopping districts?the backbone of the people's economy?to become self-reliant and achieve sustainable growth. We will also ensure that the Onnuri gift certificate program is operated in line with its original purpose of revitalizing consumption in traditional markets and shopping districts by eradicating illegal distribution through the efficient operation of the reward system for reporting violations."