Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon
Overview
The Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon (민생회복 소비쿠폰) is a discount/rebate consumption support system issued by the central government and local governments aimed at stabilizing the livelihoods of citizens whose spending power has decreased due to economic recession, high prices, and high interest rates, as well as stimulating domestic demand. It is designed for use in traditional markets, small business stores, and direct sales markets for local agricultural, livestock, and fishery products. Consumers benefit through immediate discounts on set amounts or rebates of a certain percentage. This system is an extension of the disaster relief funds and mutual growth consumption support funds introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic, but has been newly strengthened in 2024–2025 to respond to rising prices and the livelihood crisis.
Main Details
Background of Introduction
Since 2023, the persistent 'three highs' phenomenon—high prices, high interest rates, and high exchange rates—has led to a decline in real income and deepened sales slumps for small business owners and self-employed individuals. The government presented the 'Consumption Coupon for Livelihood Recovery' as a key task in its second-half 2024 economic policy direction and reflected related project costs in the 2025 budget. In particular, to revitalize traditional markets and local economies, the system restricts coupon usage locations and adopts a differentiated support method that applies additional discount rates to vulnerable groups.
Issuance and Distribution Methods
The Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon is distributed in two main ways. First, the 'pre-discount type' applies an immediate discount (e.g., 2,000 won discount on purchases of 10,000 won or more) when consumers pay at traditional markets or small business stores. Second, the 'post-rebate type' provides a cashback of a certain percentage (e.g., 10%) on the excess amount when consumers spend a certain amount or more (e.g., 300,000 won per month) using credit or check cards, credited the following month. As of 2025, benefits are available up to an annual maximum of 200,000 won per person, and local governments may allocate additional budgets to issue coupons in conjunction with local currencies (e.g., Onnuri Gift Certificates, Local Love Gift Certificates).
Usage Locations and Restrictions
Usage is limited to traditional markets, small business stores (annual sales of 300 million won or less), Nonghyup Hanaro Marts, direct sales outlets, and local agricultural, livestock, and fishery product direct sales markets. It cannot be used at large supermarkets, department stores, online shopping malls (except some local currency affiliated stores), entertainment establishments, or gambling establishments. To prevent misuse, a per-transaction limit (e.g., 100,000 won) and a monthly usage limit (e.g., 500,000 won) are set, and usage details are managed through real-time linkage with card companies.
Funding and Budget
As of 2025, the government has allocated approximately 1.2 trillion won in budget for the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon project. Of this, 70% is covered by national funds and 30% by local funds, with some support from the Small Business and Market Promotion Fund. Local governments can invest additional budgets to increase local currency discount rates or issue special consumption coupons. For example, in the first half of 2025, Seoul City provided an additional 10% discount through 'Seoul Pay Plus,' and Gyeongsangbuk-do sold 'Gyeongbuk Love Gift Certificates' at a 15% discount.
Application and Usage Methods
Consumers can automatically receive benefits without a separate application process by using designated card companies (e.g., KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Nonghyup) credit/check cards or local currency apps. However, for the post-rebate type, users must pre-register for the 'Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon' service on the card company's website or app, after which usage records are tallied. The pre-discount type applies automatically at affiliated stores during payment, so no separate registration is needed. Users can check their monthly usage details via the card company's app or Government24.
Recent Trends
From the second half of 2024 to the first half of 2025, the Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon has been expanded and revised multiple times. In October 2024, the government announced the 'Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupon' to replace the existing Mutual Growth Consumption Support Fund, raising the discount rate from 10% to 15% and increasing the annual per-person limit from 150,000 won to 200,000 won. In January 2025, a 'Traditional Market Special Coupon' was introduced, applying an additional 5% discount (total 20%) for use in traditional markets. Additionally, from March 2025, a pilot 'Youth Consumption Booster' program for young people (ages 19–34) was launched, offering a 20% cashback (up to 50,000 won) on amounts exceeding 500,000 won in monthly spending. As of May 2025, all 17 metropolitan local governments nationwide are implementing additional discount policies linked to local currencies, and some local governments have introduced 'Smart Consumption Coupons' to support small business digital transformation, applying discounts even for online orders. However, due to rapid budget depletion, there are concerns that some regions may close early by July 2025, and the government is considering a supplementary budget.
Related Topics
- [[Mutual Growth Consumption Support Fund]]
- [[Local Currency]]
- [[Small Business Support Policies]]
- [[Disaster Relief Fund]]
- [[Domestic Demand Stimulation]]
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