The government will ban Onnuri Gift Certificate transactions between merchants and the resale of certificates. The move is aimed at blocking illicit distribution.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held an "Onnuri Gift Certificate system improvement meeting" on the 18th at the headquarters of the Small Enterprise & Market Service (SEMAS) with outside experts, the Korea Minting, Security Printing ＆ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO), and SEMAS.
Presided over by Choi Won-young, director general for small business policy at the ministry, the meeting was organized to discuss measures to prevent illicit distribution and operating plans for Onnuri Gift Certificates, with the goal of establishing a sound distribution order and enhancing institutional credibility.
The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the "comprehensive improvement plan for Onnuri Gift Certificates" announced 4th, then shared market reactions to key actions such as ▲ reducing purchase and redemption limits for paper certificates ▲ advancing the FDS (fraud detection system) ▲ monthly on-site inspections, and discussed improvement measures.
Participants also exchanged views on institutional improvements and ways to strengthen oversight and supervision in the amendment to the "Special Act on Fostering Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts" submitted to the National Assembly.
The amendment includes a ban on Onnuri Gift Certificate transactions between merchants, a ban on resale of certificates, recovery of unjust gains, and the basis for fines and rewards.
To promote the digital transition of Onnuri Gift Certificates and improve convenience for small businesses, the meeting also addressed as a pending issue the advancement of digital application (app) services to push ▲ improvements to the merchant search function ▲ enhancements to the learning-based chatbot civil-complaint response system ▲ guides to merchants by theme.
They also reviewed a plan to provide small businesses with management analysis reports (sales trends, customer characteristic comparison indicators) based on sales data by industry and region.
Deputy Minister Choi Won-young said, "We will cut off illicit distribution at the source and accelerate digital innovation to develop the system into one that both small businesses and consumers can trust and use conveniently."