In rural areas such as mountainous and fishing villages, there have been complaints that there are not enough places to use the people's livelihood recovery consumption coupons, leading to an increase in the number of available Hanaro Mart stores from 121 to 779. The number of local food sales outlets has also increased from 22 to 252. The government decided this on the 21st during the 'people's livelihood recovery consumption coupons intergovernmental task force (TF).
The people's livelihood recovery consumption coupons can only be used at business sites with annual sales of less than 3 billion won, meaning that Hanaro Mart is generally excluded from use. However, 121 Hanaro Marts located in 110 myeon areas where there are no similar establishments like marts, supermarkets, or convenience stores were exceptionally allowed, but it has been pointed out that even in areas with marts or supermarkets, it is difficult to use the consumption coupons due to a lack of items to purchase.
In response, the government decided to increase the areas where the use of Hanaro Mart is allowed based on requests from local governments. Accordingly, a total of 779 Hanaro Marts in 655 myeon and 4 eup areas have been selected as final usage sites. The eup areas where Hanaro Mart can be used include ▲Seongju-eup, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do ▲Geumil-eup, Wando, Jeollanam-do ▲Jido-eup, Sinan, Jeollanam-do ▲Pyeonghae-eup, Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The government has also included a total of 252 local food sales outlets as usable locations.
Starting from the 22nd, the newly allowed Hanaro Marts and local food sales outlets can accept consumption coupons. Detailed usage locations can be confirmed on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety website and other platforms.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to allow active-duty soldiers on mandatory service to use consumption coupons not only at military stores (PX) nationwide but also in nearby commercial districts during outings and leaves. However, soldiers will only be able to use the consumption coupons in nearby commercial districts starting from the second distribution (Sept. 22 - Oct. 31).