The government will provide a total of 20 million won worth of Onnuri gift vouchers through a lottery for citizens who purchase small business products worth more than 50,000 won in non-capital regions. Additionally, to promote local consumption, discount coupons that can be used for exhibitions and performances in non-capital regions will also be provided, with up to 10 coupons available.
On the 7th, during the economic affairs ministers meeting, the government confirmed the 'local revitalization shared consumption activation plan.' This decision follows the directive given by President Lee Jae-myung on July 22, to implement additional consumption stimulation programs as 'people's livelihood recovery consumption coupons' are distributed. President Lee also noted on July 30 to consider institutionalizing plans that preferentially support regional areas across all national policies.
The government will promote inter-ministerial cooperation to quickly spread the consumption recovery momentum through 'people's livelihood recovery consumption coupons' nationwide. First, the government aims to encourage the regional concentration of cultural consumption coupons distributed through the supplementary budget. Currently, discounts for exhibitions and performances are provided at a rate of 2 per person, totaling up to 10 coupons, but a plan is in place to offer an additional maximum of 10 coupons exclusively for non-capital regions.
An event providing large prizes for those who consume or travel in local areas will also take place. From August 1 to October 9, if individuals spend more than 50,000 won at traditional markets and small business stores nationwide, they will have a chance to win a digital Onnuri gift voucher through a lottery. The prizes include ▲1st place (10 people) 20 million won ▲2nd place (50 people) 5 million won ▲3rd place (600 people) 1 million won ▲4th place (1,365 people) 100,000 won, with a total of 10 entries allowed through the shared payback website. However, only non-capital region consumers are eligible for the 1st place, while consumers from the capital region can also win 2nd place and below.
Moreover, the 'travel luck of the month' benefits, which provide travel vouchers to those who travel in population decline areas, will be expanded. In September, tourists who visit these areas will receive local travel, accommodation, and food vouchers valued at 1 million won through a lottery. The refund period will be extended for using digital Onnuri gift vouchers in special disaster areas, and the refund rate will increase from the existing 10% to 20%.
The existing 'cooperation festival' and 'Korea Sale Festa' will operate on the largest scale ever by expanding participating companies, and the 'Korea Grand Sale' will be initiated one month earlier. Additionally, the 'Duty-Free Festa' will be held for a record duration of 61 days.
Cooperation through shared sister relationships for local revitalization will also be promoted. The government will support central ministries, public institutions, and private organizations in autonomously establishing sister relationships with local governments in non-capital regions. For example, the Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to promote collaboration through events related to joint purchasing of local specialties and workshops with Jeonbuk Imsil-gun and Gyeongbuk Bonghwa-gun. The government aims to develop this into a sustainable cooperative relationship beyond one-time events.
Meanwhile, efforts to attract foreign tourists are being strengthened amid the Chinese National Day and the APEC Summit. Events will include large music festivals featuring K-pop stars and musicians from APEC member countries, as well as offering concert tickets and duty-free discount vouchers to foreigners purchasing flights to Korea. Duty-free shops will adopt a pre-sale and post-production model, and airport services for foreigners will be improved, including baggage arrival information checking functions and an AI-based customs consultation system.
The government expects that this policy will help narrow the consumption recovery gap between the capital region and local areas. In fact, since the new government was launched in June, consumption has turned to a recovery trend, but it has been noted that local regions are recovering more slowly than the capital region. According to the Bank of Korea, last month, the consumer sentiment index in Seoul rose by 10 points compared to March, but the six metropolitan cities saw only a 6-point increase, while other regions increased by 5 points.
An official from the Ministry of Economy and Finance noted, 'Since 2002, private consumption in non-capital regions has remained lower than that in the capital region, and the gap is gradually widening,' and added, 'This measure was devised to contribute even a little more to the recovery of local consumption.'