Daejeon launches Ontongdaejeon 2.0 with cashback rising to 15% in September

Daejeon’s local currency has entered a new phase, with users receiving cashback directly through the Ontongdaejeon 2.0 check card. The program offers 10% cashback on monthly spending of up to 300,000 won at participating merchants.

The benefits will increase during selected periods. The rate rises to 15% in September, which includes the Chuseok holiday. In October and November, vulnerable groups and customers using traditional markets, neighborhood shopping areas and young entrepreneurs’ stores can receive 13% cashback. Purchases at businesses designated as reasonably priced stores qualify for 15% cashback through December.

The new version also brings policy payments and everyday services into the local currency app. Various government support payments will be distributed through Ontongdaejeon, while users can earn mileage when using public transport and public facilities. Card points from major issuers can also be converted into Ontongdaejeon. From next year, marriage incentives and farmers’ allowances are expected to use the system as well.

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We intend to supplement the existing local currency app, which centers on payments, by 2028 and develop it into an AI civic economic platform that flexibly connects various policies and everyday services.

Daejeon says it aims to build an open and expandable platform by 2028. The city plans to connect local policies and daily services and develop the app into an AI-based civic economic platform. It will also analyze consumer patterns and business openings and closures using payment data, then provide commercial-area information to participating merchants. A QR payment system will be introduced on a trial basis.

The city secured 69.1 billion won for operating Ontongdaejeon 2.0 through the end of the year and plans to spend 100 billion to 120 billion won annually afterward. Mayor Heo Tae-jeong withdrew a campaign promise to provide disaster assistance for high fuel prices, saying the city could not afford a payment costing more than 200 billion won. Instead, he said, the local currency would carry a disaster-support function through cashback of up to 15%.

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Given Daejeon’s current financial situation, it is regrettable that we cannot also provide disaster assistance costing more than 200 billion won. Instead, we decided to include disaster-support features in the local currency by providing cashback of up to 15%.