Gimcheon Revives the Economy with Policies That Boost Spending Power

Injecting 114 Billion Won in Local Currency
Restoring the "Lifeblood of the Local Economy" with a Year-Round 10% Discount

Gimcheon City is accelerating the recovery of the local economy as the new year begins.

The city announced that it will issue a total of 114 billion won worth of "Gimcheon Sarang Gift Certificates" throughout 2026, and will begin offering a year-round 10% discount on purchases starting January 7.

Key Points of Gimcheon Sarang Gift Certificate in 2026

This measure stands out as a permanent livelihood policy aimed not only at short-term consumption stimulation but also at fundamentally improving the structure of the regional economy. The discount rate is set at a fixed 10% throughout the year, which is 4 to 5 percentage points higher than in the first half of last year, and will be increased to up to 15% during the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.

Individuals can purchase up to 500,000 won per month, receiving a maximum monthly incentive of 50,000 won under the regular discount, and up to 75,000 won during the special holiday discount periods. The holding limit is set at 1 million won.

The Gimcheon Sarang Gift Certificate will be issued in both card and paper formats.

The card format can be purchased at a discounted rate year-round, while the paper certificates are sold at a discount only during the special holiday discount periods for Lunar New Year and Chuseok.

Gimcheon City expects this approach to enhance both user convenience and policy effectiveness.

In particular, the city anticipates that this large-scale issuance will help prevent local funds from flowing out of the region and serve as a catalyst for consumption recovery, especially in traditional markets and neighborhood shopping districts.

By providing stable discount benefits from the beginning of the year, the city aims to create a structure in which consumption is evenly distributed throughout the year, rather than being concentrated in specific periods.

A Gimcheon City official stated, "The Gimcheon Sarang Gift Certificate is a practical tool for mutual prosperity, directly reducing household burdens for citizens and boosting sales for small business owners. In the new year, we will continue to operate the gift certificate stably to lead a tangible recovery of the local economy that citizens can feel."

Local currency is no longer just a supplementary measure, but is becoming a policy engine driving regional economies.

Attention is focused on how quickly Gimcheon's bold move to offer a year-round 10% discount will revitalize the stagnant neighborhood shopping districts.