"1.306 Trillion Won Paid to 11.7 Million People Through Win-Win Payback Last Year"

Card Spending Increased by 17.7972 Trillion Won from September to December

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on January 20 that a total of 1.306 trillion won was paid out as a result of implementing the Win-Win Payback program last year.

The Win-Win Payback program provides a digital Onnuri gift certificate refund equivalent to 20% of the increase in monthly card spending from September to December 2025, compared to the monthly average in 2024 (up to a maximum of 330,000 won over four months), if the monthly card spending during this period exceeds the 2024 monthly average.

Between September 15 and December 31 last year, a total of 15.64 million people applied for the Win-Win Payback program. Of these, 6.3 million people in September (344.3 billion won), 6.71 million in October (378.7 billion won), 6.94 million in November (394.7 billion won), and 7.4 million in December (188.3 billion won) met the requirements and received payments. The cumulative payout during the application period amounted to 1.306 trillion won, with the average payment per person being approximately 110,000 won.

Based on the 11.7 million eligible recipients, the increase in card spending from September to December 2025 compared to the 2024 monthly average totaled 17.7972 trillion won. The monthly increase in spending rose from 4 trillion won in September, growing each month to reach about 5 trillion won in December, showing an upward trend throughout the program period.

According to statistics on domestic individual card usage (from nine card companies) during the Win-Win Payback program period from September to November last year, the year-on-year growth rates in monthly card spending were 4.8% in September, 2.3% in October, and 4.5% in November. These figures are significantly higher than the growth rates for the same months in 2024 (1.2% in September, 2.8% in October, and 2.7% in November).

In cases where card payments were canceled after the payback was issued, the canceled amount was deducted from the next month's payback payment. However, as all payments have now been completed, any remaining amounts to be returned will be processed through the digital Onnuri application, by charging and paying through the app and issuing mobile electronic notifications for the return.

Additionally, the ministry plans to comprehensively analyze the effects of the Win-Win Payback program in the first half of the year, including its impact on private consumption and the sales growth rates of traditional markets and local commercial districts, and use these findings to inform future consumption-boosting policies.

Kim Jeongju, Director of Small Business Policy, stated, "The Win-Win Payback program, which was launched to support small business owners, has been successfully concluded thanks to the active participation of the public. Building on the valuable experience gained from this program, we will continue to develop consumption promotion policies that increase satisfaction among both the public and small business owners."