Gwangmyeong City Selected as Outstanding Municipality in Livelihood Recovery Coupon Program, Secures 150 Million Won in National Funding

Top Distribution Rates in Both Rounds; No. 1 in Local Currency Coupon Issuance
Park Seungwon: "Livelihood Will Remain the City’s Top Priority Next Year"

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 23rd that it has been selected as an outstanding local government in the government's 2024 Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon Program and has secured a special grant of 150 million won.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety evaluated a total of 243 local governments nationwide, considering their performance in distributing livelihood recovery consumption coupons, coupon usage rates and expansion of eligible merchants, improvements in application and distribution convenience, and promotional activities, to select the best-performing municipalities.

Gwangmyeong City explained that it was recognized as a model case in this evaluation for its high coupon distribution rate and effective use of local currency. In the first round of distribution, the city achieved a distribution rate of 99.3%, ranking first among the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, and in the second round, it recorded a rate of 98.1%, placing second.

In particular, the proportion of applicants who chose to receive their consumption coupons in the form of Gwangmyeong Sarang Local Currency was 54.3% in the first round and 55.7% in the second round-more than double the Gyeonggi Province average (22.2% in the first round and 23.5% in the second round).

The city added that such achievements were made possible by a meticulously designed strategic response, from advance preparation to on-site execution. Two weeks prior to the start of distribution, a dedicated policy task force team was formed to oversee all aspects of the program, and a dedicated call center was operated to minimize inconvenience for citizens.

The implementation of a 'visiting application service' for citizens with mobility challenges and those vulnerable to digital technology also contributed to the high distribution rate. Through this service, 225 citizens received consumption coupons in the first round, and 138 in the second round.

Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong, stated, "It is meaningful that our consistent efforts to protect citizens' livelihoods-from the early-year Livelihood Stability Support Fund to the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon-have been recognized in this evaluation. Next year as well, we will continue to prioritize the well-being of citizens in our city administration and make tangible improvements to their lives."