Expiration on November 30...
Unused Consumption Coupon Balances Will Be Forfeited
The usage period for the first and second phases of the livelihood recovery consumption coupons, which were distributed to all citizens to revitalize local neighborhood economies, will expire on November 30. Any unused balance of the consumption coupons after the deadline will be forfeited.
On November 23, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged citizens to use the entire amount of their consumption coupons within the designated period. Both the first and second phase consumption coupons can be used until midnight on November 30.
It was finally reported that 97.5% of the recipients eligible for the second phase of the livelihood recovery consumption coupons applied for the coupons. A total of 4.4527 trillion won worth of consumption coupons was distributed to them. Yonhap News
As of midnight on November 16, 8.8407 trillion won, or 97.5%, of the total 9.0688 trillion won in consumption coupons distributed via credit and debit cards had been used. Approximately 220 billion won worth of consumption coupons remain unused.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety stated that, in cooperation with credit and debit card companies and local governments, it is notifying users who have not yet used their consumption coupons of the usage deadline through the National Secretary Service, text messages, apps, and websites.
Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojoong said, "Thanks to the active use of consumption coupons by citizens, local neighborhood economies have been revitalized," and emphasized, "For those who have not yet used all of their coupons, please make sure to use them in full within the deadline."
Earlier, starting July 21 of this year, the government distributed the first phase of consumption coupons, ranging from 150,000 to 450,000 won, to all citizens. Of the 50,607,067 eligible recipients, 50,078,938 people (98.96%) received the first phase coupons. The total amount distributed was 9.0693 trillion won, provided through credit and debit cards, local gift certificates, and prepaid cards.
The second phase of consumption coupons was distributed from September 22, providing 100,000 won per person to 90% of the population, excluding the top 10% by income. Of the approximately 45.67 million eligible recipients, 44.53 million people, or 97.5%, received a total of 4.4527 trillion won.
The consumption coupons can be used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, and are widely accepted at establishments closely tied to daily life, such as traditional markets, neighborhood grocery stores, restaurants, clothing shops, hair salons, and optical shops. However, they cannot be used at large supermarkets, department stores, entertainment venues, or gambling establishments, as these do not align with the intent to support small businesses.
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