The government's measures to stabilize the people's livelihood economy are now being actively implemented at the local level.
Yeongju City in North Gyeongsang Province will begin distributing the 'Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon' starting on July 21, introducing a consumption stimulus initiative aimed at both revitalizing the local economy and stabilizing the lives of ordinary citizens.
This consumption coupon program is a policy-type initiative, providing the first and second rounds of consumption subsidies to all citizens nationwide, with the goal of restoring vitality to the local economy's domestic demand.
Yeongju City will provide differentiated support to all citizens based on their income level, with a maximum of 450,000 won per person.
The first round of distribution will take place from July 21 to September 12. General citizens will receive 200,000 won per person, those in the lower-income bracket and single-parent families will receive 350,000 won, and basic livelihood security recipients will receive 450,000 won. The second round will be held from September 22 to October 31, providing an additional 100,000 won per person to citizens, except for the top 10% income earners.
Recipients can choose between credit/debit cards and the Yeongju Sarang Gift Certificate (paper or mobile type). The coupons must be used by November 30, and any unused amount will be automatically forfeited.
The coupons can only be used at small businesses in Yeongju City with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. They cannot be used at large supermarkets, department stores, online malls, or entertainment venues.
The application procedure varies according to year of birth. Those born on or before December 31, 2006 must apply in person, while for those born on or after January 1, 2007, the head of the household at the same address must apply on their behalf.
To reduce expected complaints and congestion at the beginning of the application period, the city will operate a 'last digit of birth year day system' from July 21 to 25. For example, on the 21st, citizens whose birth year ends in 1 or 6 can apply, and on the 22nd, those whose birth year ends in 2 or 7 can apply.
The application channels are as follows: for the paper-type Yeongju Sarang Gift Certificate, applications must be submitted in person at the Eup, Myeon, or Dong Administrative Welfare Centers; for the mobile type, applications are submitted via a dedicated app; for credit/debit cards, applications can be made through the card company's website or at affiliated bank branches.
Starting July 14, the city will enable identity verification and advance inquiry of the payment amount through the 'National Secretary Notification Service.' However, to prevent smishing scams, notification messages will not include URLs or hyperlinks.
Yu Jeonggeun, acting mayor of Yeongju City, stated, "This consumption coupon will directly circulate funds within the local commercial sector and provide tangible assistance to the livelihood recovery of vulnerable groups." He added, "Through step-by-step and systematic administrative execution, we will drive economic recovery that citizens can truly feel."
Yeongju City Hall.
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