Reimbursement as Digital Onnuri Gift Certificates
Applications Open from the 15th of Next Month
The "Win-Win Payback" program, which reimburses a certain percentage of increased card spending as digital Onnuri gift certificates, will launch next month. The goal is to stimulate consumption and support traditional markets and shopping districts that have been experiencing a downturn.
On August 20, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the implementation plan for Win-Win Payback, outlining the application, payment, and usage procedures. Win-Win Payback is a livelihood recovery support program finalized in May by the National Assembly as part of the first supplementary budget (1.37 trillion won).
The core of the program is as follows: if a person's monthly card spending from September to November this year exceeds their average monthly card spending from last year, up to 20% of the increased amount-capped at 100,000 won per month (maximum of 300,000 won over three months)-will be reimbursed as digital Onnuri gift certificates, which can be used at traditional markets and shopping districts.
Eligible applicants are domestic and foreign nationals aged 19 or older who have card spending records from last year. Applications can be submitted through the Win-Win Payback website from September 15 to November 30.
The credit and debit card spending that counts toward Win-Win Payback includes credit and debit card payments as well as Samsung Pay and Apple Pay transactions. However, spending at direct-run stores for livelihood recovery coupons, department stores, outlets, large discount stores, corporate supermarkets, and major electronics retailers, as well as franchise headquarters, is excluded from the calculation.
Payback will be distributed sequentially starting October 15, and the increased spending for October and November will be paid out on the 15th of the following month, respectively. The issued digital Onnuri gift certificates can be used for five years from the date of receipt at approximately 130,000 affiliated merchants, including traditional markets and shopping districts.
Additionally, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will hold a "Win-Win Consumption Lottery" event. Anyone who applies for Payback on the website by October 12 will be automatically entered. For every 50,000 won in accumulated card spending at eligible Win-Win Payback merchants between August 1 and October 12, participants will receive one lottery ticket, up to a maximum of 10 tickets (for spending of 500,000 won or more).
The lottery prizes will be paid out as digital Onnuri gift certificates in November. Through a drawing, 2,025 winners will be selected, with the top prize of 20 million won going to 10 individuals, and a total prize pool of 1 billion won.
If citizens have objections regarding the amount of Payback received or recovered, they can file an appeal online through the website. The submitted appeals will be reviewed within seven days, and once processing is complete, the results can be checked on the website.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.


