Largest-Ever Four-Month Event Runs Through December
620 Billion Won to Be Issued, Boosting Small Business Sales
Additional 5% Cashback in Special Disaster Areas
Starting in September, Gwangju City will launch a special discount event for the Gwangju Sangsaeng Card. The discount rate will be significantly increased from the current 7% to 13%. With the Gwangju Sangsaeng Card, users can receive up to 65,000 won in discounts when spending 500,000 won per month.
On August 28, Gwangju City announced that it will conduct the largest-ever special discount event, raising the Gwangju Sangsaeng Card discount rate from 7% to 13% from September to December.
This special discount is expected to revitalize the local economy, which has been dampened by heavy rains and heatwaves, and to provide practical support for increasing sales for local small business owners.
This initiative is one of the core projects of Gwangju City's "7+2 Livelihood Recovery Support Policy" and is a proactive response to the regional gift certificate activation policy being promoted as a national agenda by the Lee Jaemyung administration.
The city plans to issue 620 billion won worth of Sangsaeng Cards for this special discount, marking the largest scale ever. The discount period will also be the longest, running for four months.
In particular, in Buk-gu, which has been designated a special disaster area due to flood damage, and in Eoryong-dong and Samdo-dong of Gwangsan-gu, citizens using the Sangsaeng Check Card will receive an additional 5% cashback to support the recovery of local commercial districts in affected areas.
The Sangsaeng Card can be charged up to 500,000 won per person per month, allowing users to receive a maximum discount benefit of 65,000 won. For example, the prepaid card will offer a 13% immediate discount upon charging in September, while the check card will provide 13% cashback on the amount spent in September, regardless of the charging date, which will be credited in October.
Citizens who already possess a Sangsaeng Card (check or registered prepaid) can conveniently recharge via Gwangju Bank's internet or mobile banking, and purchase or recharge at any Gwangju Bank branch.
The Gwangju Sangsaeng Card can only be used within the Gwangju region. Since its initial issuance in 2019, the cumulative issuance amount reached 5.06 trillion won as of the end of July this year, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.
The city expects that this significant increase in the discount rate will enhance the perceived benefits for citizens and help alleviate household burdens caused by rising prices. Additionally, it is anticipated to foster a virtuous cycle in the local economy by boosting small business sales.
Joo Jaehee, Director of Economic and Startup Affairs, stated, "This special discount is Gwangju City's proactive response, being the first to support the Lee Jaemyung administration's policy to strengthen regional gift certificates," and added, "We hope citizens will actively use the Sangsaeng Card in their daily lives to enjoy substantial discount benefits."
Meanwhile, last month, Gwangju City held the "7+2 Livelihood Recovery Support Policy Briefing" and, in addition to expanding the Sangsaeng Card discount rate to 13%, is pursuing various support policies for small business owners, including: expanding special guarantees for small businesses, operating a local commercial district support team, increasing discount coupons for the public delivery app, and offering a 5% cashback on Onnuri Gift Certificates (from November to December).
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