**Government Confirms ‘Seollal Holiday Measures’ at Economic Ministers’ Meeting**
– Supply Expansion: 10,000 tons of cabbage and radish, 40,000 tons of apples and pears, with government supplies increased by 3.9 times.
– Record 90 billion KRW investment to support discounts on essential holiday items, with discounts up to 50%.
– Rapid implementation of public welfare projects and direct employment of over 790,000 people in January.
– Provision of 39 trillion KRW for small businesses and SMEs for the holiday period.
– Highway toll exemption and free parking lot information available on navigation apps.
– Considering designating January 27th as a temporary public holiday to boost domestic demand.
To help alleviate holiday shopping burdens, the government plans to increase supplies of 16 key holiday products by 1.5 times compared to usual levels, with resources devoted to enabling consumers to purchase at discounted prices by up to 50%. They announced this plan during a meeting chaired by interim President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mook.
**Expansion of Agricultural Supplies:**
The government plans to supply a record 265,000 tons of 16 key holiday products, reflecting a 1.5-fold increase compared to usual levels. To meet increased demand, government reserves of cabbage, radish, apples, and pears will be expanded by 3.9 times. Imported fruits will continue to benefit from tariff quotas.
– Cabbage and radish will see 4,500 tons and 5,500 tons supplied, respectively, almost double the usual quantities.
– Apples and pears: 40,000 tons supplied, with supply increased by 8.7 times for apples and 2.7 times for pears.
– Beginning on the 24th, 300,000 tons of imported fruits, including oranges, will enter the market.
**Discount Support:**
The government will invest 90 billion KRW in discount support to lower consumer prices. Discounts of up to 50% will be available both online and offline. Key agricultural and fisheries products, including cabbage, radish, and eggs, will be discounted by up to 40%, while popular fish products will be discounted by up to 50%.
**Public Welfare and Financial Support:**
Efforts to accelerate public welfare projects include rapid employment in direct job programs for over 790,000 individuals. Additionally, substantial funding will support small businesses (39 trillion KRW) and the traditional market with 50 billion KRW for holiday purchase funds.
**Travel and Tourism Measures:**
– Highway tolls will be waived from the 28th to the 30th of the holiday period, with a potential addition of the 27th if it becomes a public holiday.
– Free access to parking facilities will be available from the 24th to the 30th, and information on these facilities will be accessible via navigation apps.
**Temporary Public Holiday Proposal:**
Discussions are underway to designate January 27th as a temporary public holiday to expand the Seollal holiday to six days, potentially stimulating tourism and domestic consumption while alleviating traffic congestion during the holiday period.