Uiseong Takes the Lead with "Local Currency Prescription" Ahead of Lunar New Year

Uiseong Sarang Gift Certificate Discount Raised to 15%
Stimulating Holiday Spending and Revitalizing the Local Economy

Uiseong County has introduced new livelihood measures designed to directly stimulate local consumption ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

To ease the burden on households, which has increased due to high inflation and an economic slowdown, and to support the recovery of sales for local small businesses, Uiseong County will temporarily raise the discount rate for the Uiseong Sarang Gift Certificate by a significant margin.

Photo by Byeonggeon Kwon, Uiseong County Office

Uiseong County announced that from February 1 to March 31, the discount rate for the mobile and card-type Uiseong Sarang Gift Certificates will be increased from the current 10% to 15%. The paper gift certificates will maintain the existing 10% discount rate, considering fiscal stability and distribution management.

This measure is a "short-term, tangible economic response" targeting the period when consumer demand peaks around the Lunar New Year. It aims to enhance the actual purchasing power of residents while promoting a virtuous cycle of local consumption.

In particular, with both rising living costs and weakened consumer sentiment, the increased discount rate is seen as a policy tool that can deliver immediate and tangible benefits.

The purchase limits for the gift certificates vary by type. For the paper type, individuals can purchase up to 100,000 won at local financial institutions. For the mobile type, the limit is 300,000 won per person, and for the card type, up to 400,000 won can be loaded per month. The certificates can be used at 2,271 affiliated stores in the county, including restaurants, hair salons, and supermarkets, making them widely applicable to everyday spending.

Kim Jusu, Mayor of Uiseong County, stated, "This measure is intended to ease the financial burden on residents during the Lunar New Year and inject real vitality into the stagnant local commercial sector. We will continue to closely monitor local economic conditions and flexibly operate the Uiseong Sarang Gift Certificate to help revitalize the local economy."

Uiseong County expects that this increase in the discount rate will not only boost holiday spending, but also serve as an opportunity to establish a virtuous cycle that reduces the outflow of local funds and leads to the recovery of small business sales within the region.