KOREAN NET

Ahead of Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), 234 traditional markets nationwide from Sept. 9-15 will take part in a gift certificate giveaway. Shown is a packed Cheongnyangni Traditional Market in Seoul’s Dongdaemun-gu District on Sept. 2. (Yonhap News)

By Margareth Theresia

Ahead of the annual Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holidays, hundreds of traditional markets nationwide from next week will offer cash back through gift certificates worth up to KRW 40,000 to buyers of domestic agricultural and seafood products.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Sept. 5 said that in a joint event with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, 234 such markets across the country from Sept. 9-15 will take part in the promotion.

Customers who purchase domestic agricultural or seafood products at traditional markets can get back up to 30% of their combined purchases. Gift certificates worth up to KRW 20,000 are offered for agricultural items and the same for marine products, or a combined KRW 40,000.

Shoppers need to bring their receipts and ID for screening to the event booth at the market to get the certificates.

More information on the participating markets is on the official websites of Foodnuri Information Service (sale.foodnuri.go.kr), which supports discounts on agricultural and livestock products, and Korea Info Seafood (www.fsale.kr).

Minister Song Mi-ryung said, "We hope that consumers can feel a lower burden in holiday shopping and cost of living for Chuseok through the cashback event at traditional markets and discounted sales of gift certificates for agricultural products."

margareth@korea.kr