Kogeupe, Korea's Largest Discount Event: "Enjoy Deals Nationwide Through Nov. 15"

From Cabinet ministers' on-site purchases to events organized by local governments and merchants' associations
Participation is spreading across the country

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said on the 12th that a nationwide atmosphere of increased consumer spending is taking hold, with the central government, local governments, businesses and economic groups, and the public participating in the 2nd Korea Grand Festival (Kogeupe) in various ways.

Kogeupe is Korea's largest discount event, bringing together discount campaigns previously organized separately by different government ministries to boost domestic demand and encourage local spending. It is being held nationwide from October 29 to November 15.

Prime Minister Han Seongsuk, Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee Soyoung, and Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul visited Andong Old Market and other locations on October 31, where they purchased goods and encouraged small business owners. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Lee Hyungil visited Haengbokhan Department Store in Mokdong, Seoul, on November 6 with Second Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee Byungkwon and purchased products from small and medium-sized enterprises and small businesses.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan purchased K-consumer goods at Musinsa and Olive Young stores in the Hongdae area of Seoul on November 2. Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jongwoo also visited a seafood discount event in Busan on October 29, checked how the discounts were being applied, and called for stronger consumer guidance and promotion. In addition, Minister of Data and Statistics Ahn Hyeongjun and Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service Lee Jongwook visited a large supermarket and a duty-free shop, respectively, helping spread the festival's consumer-spending momentum.

Local governments and regional merchants' associations have also launched their own campaigns, promotional events, and administrative support initiatives to coincide with Kogeupe. Jeonbuk State is running a special visitation week from November 2 to 15, encouraging people to visit businesses offering fair prices and traditional markets and post proof of their visits on social media.

Daegu Metropolitan City, together with its merchants' association, is giving household goods and other items to customers who make purchases at 20 traditional markets in the city from November 6 to 15. Daejeon Metropolitan City is also awarding 200 million won in cashback through a lottery for 38,000 Ontong Daejeon users by November 15. Gyeonggi Province is holding a prize event through November 15 for users of its public delivery app, Baedal Teukgeup.

Businesses are also supporting increased consumer spending through discounts, sales-channel support, and employee participation. Regional favorites including Seongsimdang in Daejeon, Lee Jae-mo Pizza and Samjin Eomuk in Busan, Yangdong Chicken in Gwangju, and School Music in Incheon are holding discount coupon and prize events in partnership with nearby businesses. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are offering discounts on major home appliances, including TVs, household appliances, laptops, and monitors, at their online and offline stores through November 30. The country's five automakers are also offering discounts of between 1.5 million and 10 million won on popular models, including midsize sedans and SUVs, through November 30.

Public participation is also growing through the Win-Win Consumption Lottery and campaigns asking consumers to share proof of their purchases. As of 10 a.m. on November 11, 946,938 people had entered the lottery. Campaigns inviting consumers to submit photos and receipts from their purchases, along with an event asking visitors to post proof of visits to Kogeupe stores, are also underway.

Kogeupe runs through this weekend, November 15. After it ends, the Korea Seafood Grand Festival? Korea Seafood Festa will continue through November 29; discounts on some products, including home appliances and cars, will run through November 30; and discounts on kimjang ingredients will continue through December 2.

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