Seoul to Issue 275.5 Billion Won in "Seoul Sarang Gift Certificates" with Up to 12% Discount

From the 16th: 2-5% Payback on Payments
Reducing Citizens' Burden, Boosting Small Business Sales
Up to 500,000 Won Per Person via Seoul Pay Plus App

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will issue 275.5 billion won worth of 'Seoul Sarang Gift Certificates' to revitalize the local economy. With a payback benefit of 2-5% on payment amounts, and the existing discount rate, payments can be made at up to 12% off.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on September 7, the Seoul Sarang Gift Certificates will be issued by district for three days, from September 16 to 18. Gift certificates for nine districts, including Yongsan-gu and Seocho-gu, will be available on September 16; for another nine districts, including Gangbuk-gu and Dobong-gu, on September 17; and for seven districts, including Geumcheon-gu and Eunpyeong-gu, on September 18.

Around Norunsan Alley Market, Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu.

This round of gift certificates features a greater discount. With support from the national budget, the discount rate has increased from 5% to 7%. In 11 districts (Jung-gu, Yongsan-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Gangseo-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu, and Gangnam-gu), a payback event will also be held, offering a refund of 2-5% of the payment amount in gift certificates when using the local gift certificates. Considering that the local gift certificates can be purchased at a 7% discount, users can receive up to 12% in total discounts.

By district, Jongno-gu will refund 2% of the payment amount, Yongsan-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Gangseo-gu, Dongjak-gu, and Gwanak-gu will refund 3%, and Seodaemun-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu, and Gangnam-gu will refund 5% in gift certificates. The payback will be provided in gift certificates the month after the payment date, and the event will continue until the district's budget is exhausted.

Starting with the Chuseok issuance, gift certificates can also be purchased through Naver Pay (Npay), which is mainly used by young people. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to continue expanding payment options for citizens' convenience, in addition to existing methods such as bank transfer and domestic credit/debit cards. To purchase gift certificates with Npay Money, there is no separate setup required in the Seoul Pay Plus app (although registration is needed for account and card payments); consumers can simply use their existing Npay Money balance to make the purchase.

The Seoul Sarang Gift Certificates can be purchased at a 7% discount through the Seoul Pay Plus app, up to 500,000 won per person per month, with a holding limit of 1.5 million won per person. If the gift certificate has not been used after purchase, it can be fully canceled. For cash purchases (bank transfer), a refund of the remaining balance is possible only if at least 60% of the held amount has been spent. If purchased with a credit card, refunds of the remaining balance and gifting the certificates are not allowed.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government recommended that citizens download the Seoul Pay Plus application and complete membership registration in advance before the gift certificates are issued. This is because if many people attempt to register at the time of issuance, processing delays may occur due to system overload. Lee Haeseon, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Citizens' Livelihood and Labor Bureau, stated, "As the discount rate has increased to 7% for this Chuseok Seoul Sarang Gift Certificate issuance, we expect it will provide practical help to small business owners and citizens struggling with sluggish domestic demand ahead of the holiday," adding, "Seoul will continue to make various policy efforts to contribute to revitalizing the local economy and stabilizing livelihoods."