Prime Minister Han in Andong: "Korea's Big Sale Has Begun... We'll Build a Korea Where People's Lives Get Better"

Prime Minister Han Seongsuk announced the launch of the Korea Grand Festival, which brings together consumer-boosting events previously held separately by government ministries, and set out to stimulate domestic consumption. The large-scale shopping festival offers discounts of up to 50% on cars, home appliances, household goods, and agricultural, livestock, and fishery products at hypermarkets, traditional markets, department stores, and online shopping malls across the country. The aim is to ensure that recently improving economic indicators translate into actual consumer spending and a recovery in sales at neighborhood businesses.

Prime Minister Han Seongsuk and Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee Soyoung visited Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, for the opening ceremony of the 2nd Korea Grand Festival. At Andong Old Market on Oct. 31, they tasted Andong jjimdak and encouraged local merchants. 2026.10.31. Facebook account of Prime Minister Han

On October 31, Prime Minister Han posted on Facebook under the headline "Korea's Big Sale Has Begun," saying she had visited Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, to celebrate the opening of the Korea Grand Festival that day.

Before the event, Prime Minister Han visited Andong Old Market and met with local merchants. She also shared her experience of sampling Andong jjimdak, Andong soju, and Andong sikhye, saying, "The market was full of charm and vitality" and "I could tell that food tastes different in its place of origin."

Prime Minister Han described the festival as a consumer event that brings together initiatives previously held separately by government ministries. She said it is, in effect, a "Korea Bargain Sale," offering discounts of up to 50% on cars, home appliances, household goods, and major agricultural, livestock, and fishery products at hypermarkets, traditional markets, department stores, duty-free shops, and online shopping malls across the country.

Prime Minister Han Seongsuk encouraged merchants at Andong Old Market in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, on Oct. 31, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2nd Korea Grand Festival. 2026.10.31. Photo from Prime Minister Han's Facebook page.

The government plans to use the event to offer discounts to consumers and create opportunities for increased spending for the retail industry and traditional markets. In particular, it has expanded participation beyond large retailers to include traditional markets and online shopping malls, focusing on spreading the benefits of increased consumption nationwide.

Prime Minister Han said, "We will work to ensure that the recent improvement in economic indicators does not remain just in the news, but that its benefits reach every neighborhood and every citizen." She added, "We will build a Korea where shopping is enjoyable and people's lives get better."

Regarding her visit to Andong, she added, "It was a time when I felt the warmth of the people of Andong, the President's hometown, as I conveyed the President's regards on their behalf."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.