Jeonnam Hampyeong County announced on the 1st that starting this month, it will increase the discount rate for the Hampyeong Love mobile gift certificates to 20% and double the purchase limit.
The county will raise the discount rate for the Hampyeong Love mobile gift certificates from the previous 10% to 20% until November 30, effectively doubling it. The monthly purchase limit will also be raised to 1 million won. For paper gift certificates, the existing 10% discount will be maintained with a monthly purchase limit of 500,000 won.
This measure follows the central government's policy to expand the issuance of local currency, and it is expected to revitalize local small businesses and traditional markets affected by flooding by encouraging local consumption.
However, these benefits are provided within the budget supported by an additional 5% national subsidy for population-declining areas and another 5% for special disaster areas, so the program may end early if the budget is exhausted.
The mobile gift certificates offer a cashback benefit. While the full amount is deducted at the time of purchase, 20% of the payment amount is credited as cashback when used, which can be spent like cash on the next payment. No additional cashback is provided on amounts already credited as cashback.
The purchase process is simple. The mobile gift certificates can be easily purchased after downloading the "Local Gift Certificate Chak" app and signing up as a member, while card-type gift certificates can be issued by visiting designated bank branches.
With the increased discount rate, the county plans to strictly monitor purchase and exchange histories through the integrated gift certificate management system and will conduct on-site inspections of merchants suspected of improper distribution or those with excessive exchanges, as part of its efforts to crack down on illegal distribution.
County Governor Lee Sangik said, "We hope that expanding the discount rate and purchase limit for the Hampyeong Love gift certificates will provide practical support for residents' livelihoods and help revitalize local small businesses and traditional markets affected by flooding." He added, "We will continue to do our best to develop policies that both residents and merchants can truly feel, in order to boost the local economy."
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