South Korea Unveils Chuseok Measures With Discounts of Up to 50% and Free Expressway Travel

South Korea plans to put record supplies and discounts behind its Chuseok holiday shopping season, offering consumers reductions of up to 50% on products including apples, beef and mackerel.

The government announced the package, called the Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Measures, at a Cabinet meeting on Sept. 1. It will supply 183,000 tons of 19 major holiday goods, or 1.6 times the normal volume. The plan includes 18,000 tons of vegetables such as cabbage and radishes, 32,000 tons of apples and pears, and 90,000 tons of beef and pork. Egg supplies will rise to 5,000 tons, 2.4 times the usual level.

The government will spend a record 103 billion won on discounts for agricultural, livestock and seafood products. Agricultural and livestock goods will receive discounts of up to 40% from Sept. 3, while seafood discounts of up to 50% will begin Sept. 9. Each person can receive up to 20,000 won in discounts per week. From Sept. 16 to 20, shoppers at 300 markets can receive a 30% Onnuri gift-card refund on eligible purchases, capped at 20,000 won.

The discount rate for digital Onnuri gift cards will temporarily increase from 7% to 10% during the same period. The monthly purchase limit will also rise by 200,000 won, to 1.2 million won.

The package includes travel and business support. Authorities will distribute 80,000 accommodation coupons from Sept. 22 through Nov. 8, with discounts of 20,000 to 30,000 won for stays outside major cities and 30,000 to 50,000 won for island accommodations. National heritage sites, including the Four Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and royal tombs, as well as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, will open free from Sept. 24 to 27. Expressway tolls will also be waived during the holiday, while small businesses and small and medium-sized companies will receive 43.4 trillion won in loans and guarantees.