Haenam Gift Certificates Hit 800 Billion Won Milestone: "Driving Force Behind Revitalizing the Local Economy"

12% Discount Plus 3% Cashback
Policy Allowances Also Provided as Gift Certificates

The Haenam Local Love Gift Certificates in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, have surpassed a cumulative sales amount of 800 billion won, establishing themselves as the largest gift certificate program among counties nationwide.

On January 22, Haenam County announced that it will issue Haenam Local Love Gift Certificates worth 100 billion won again this year. Since their launch in 2019, the certificates have reached a cumulative sales amount of 832.3 billion won as of the end of last year.

Haenam Local Love Gift Certificates have surpassed a cumulative sales amount of 800 billion won. Photo by Haenam County

In particular, last year alone, the county issued 152.5 billion won worth of certificates and achieved record sales of 159.1 billion won, including the carryover amount for 2024.

The Haenam Local Love Gift Certificates are widely used in daily life, with 8 out of 10 Haenam residents making use of them, and have become a key driver of the local economy. This success is attributed to the establishment of an environment where the certificates can be conveniently used anywhere in the county, supported by more than 3,900 affiliated merchants and the introduction of card and mobile gift certificates.

In particular, the perception that using the certificates is financially beneficial has spread among residents, thanks to active discount sales funded by national and provincial subsidies, making their use a routine part of daily consumption.

Haenam County has also ensured that various policy allowances, such as disaster relief funds, the nation’s first public benefit payments for farmers and fishermen, and entrance support grants for elementary, middle, and high school students, are paid in local gift certificates, promoting a virtuous economic cycle within the region. This approach is recognized as a model for exemplary gift certificate management that has spread nationwide.

This year as well, the county provided 2.08 billion won in welfare points for public officials in the form of Haenam Local Love Gift Certificates. Haenam County plans to expand the distribution of policy allowance gift certificates to 15 billion won this year.

In addition, the county will conduct intensive discount sales in the first quarter to stimulate the local economy early in the year and will make every effort to revitalize the local economy through the circulation of funds.

During January, a 12% discount is being offered on purchases up to a total limit of 700,000 won. Card and mobile gift certificates also provide an additional 3% cashback benefit at the time of payment.

A county official stated, "The Haenam Local Love Gift Certificates have become more than just a local currency; they are an important financial tool for revitalizing the local economy, supporting small businesses, and providing various policy allowances, including welfare for public officials. We will continue to make every effort this year to ensure sound management of the gift certificate program, preventing the outflow of funds from the region and boosting sales for small businesses."