Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Takes Bold Steps to Boost Domestic Consumption in Connection with the “Korea Grand Festival”

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will actively promote the “Busan-style Domestic Consumption Revitalization Initiative” to coincide with the Korea Grand Festival, which runs from October 29 to November 9, with the goal of revitalizing the local economy and stimulating consumer sentiment.

The Korea Grand Festival is a nationwide consumption festival jointly organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and other government agencies. The event brings together manufacturing and distribution industries as well as small business owners across the country to boost domestic demand and encourage consumption.

To make the festival a turning point for local economic recovery, the city has devised a comprehensive “Busan-style Domestic Consumption Revitalization Strategy.” This includes expanding local market-based shopping festivals, raising the Dongbaekjeon cashback rate to 18 percent, providing various discount coupons, and launching tourism, cultural, and sports events as part of an integrated policy package.

To support local SMEs and small business owners and to reinvigorate consumer confidence, the city will host a series of pop-up events at major venues such as department stores and cultural complexes.

At the Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch, the “Snack Road in Busan” event will be held from October 31 to November 6, featuring popular Busan snack brands in one place.
At Shinsegae Department Store Centum City, from October 30 to November 1, the “BIG (Busan Is Good) HUB Pop-up Store” will showcase products from PADOBLE’s partner companies and emerging local fashion designers, promoting Busan’s footwear and apparel brands.

Additionally, “Dongbaek Sanghoe,” a pop-up store featuring 26 Busan premium product brands, will operate at Connect Hyundai Busan until November 20 to promote and expand the market for high-quality local goods.
From November 6 to December 7, KT&G Sangsangmadang Busan will host the “Busan Representative Brand Joint Pop-up Store (Big Shop),” which will display and sell products utilizing Busan’s urban brand, highlighting the city’s diverse appeal.

Through the online and offline “Busan Sale Festa,” the city aims to create a tangible environment for citizens to participate in revitalizing domestic consumption and to energize weakened consumer sentiment.
From October 29 to November 30, the Busan Sale Festa (Online) Special Discount Event will offer 30 percent discount coupons on major online shopping platforms such as NAVER, 11st, Gmarket, and Dongbaek Mall.
From November 7 to 9, the “Jeonpo Tool Street Non-Alcohol Festival” will be held, featuring alleyway coupon promotions, experience pop-ups, and the “09 Market.”

Meanwhile, the “Haridan-gil Sweet Salon in Wooil Mansion” will take place along Haeundae’s Haridan-gil area, centered around Morubi Bakery (designated as Busan’s Signature Store for 2025), from November 8 to 9. The event will feature dessert pop-ups, Salon de Haridan, Atelier Market, and Fringe Concerts, providing experiential programs to encourage spending.

The city will also expand practical consumer benefits through local currency and discount coupon programs to ensure citizens feel the impact of economic recovery.
During the Korea Grand Festival period, the Dongbaekjeon cashback rate will increase to a maximum of 18 percent, with an additional spending limit of KRW 500,000—offering the highest benefit level since Dongbaekjeon was launched in December 2019.
The “Traditional Market Consumption Rebate Event” will be held at 100 traditional markets and shopping districts citywide from November 6 to 8, providing KRW 10,000 and KRW 20,000 Onnuri Gift Certificates for purchases over KRW 40,000 and KRW 70,000, respectively.
Furthermore, at the “Busan International Seafood EXPO,” to be held at BEXCO from November 5 to 7, the first 500 daily visitors will receive KRW 5,000 discount coupons to promote seafood consumption and support the local fishing industry.

To encourage both citizens and tourists to enjoy immersive spending experiences, the city will also promote tourism, cultural, and local market activities.
The “K-Busan Tourism Market” promotion, launched on October 20, rewards tourists who travel to Busan by train and spend a certain amount at traditional markets with KRW 20,000 Onnuri Gift Certificates, linking tourism and local consumption.
In addition, out-of-town youth visiting Busan can use the “Busan Onna Youth Pass” to receive discounts of up to 60 percent at affiliated tourist attractions, encouraging longer stays and repeat visits.
On November 8, the “Busan Challenge: Moonlight Exercise” will take place at Songdo Beach, featuring booths, fitness performances, bubble shows, and participatory events for families and citizens.
From November 8 to 9, the “Busan Mayor’s Cup 3X3 Naval Basketball Tournament” will be held near the Naval Operations Command in Baegunpo, Nam-gu. The event will include naval ship boarding experiences, military band and honor guard performances, and other attractions to draw visitors and promote local spending.

Busan Metropolitan City expects the various consumption promotion initiatives linked to the Korea Grand Festival to bring multifaceted benefits, including boosting local spending, increasing SME and small business sales, expanding tourism-related consumption, and attracting more young visitors.

Mayor Park Heong-joon commented, “We expect the Korea Grand Festival and Busan’s accompanying initiatives to serve as welcome rain for the local economy, which has been dampened by high prices. Going forward, Busan Metropolitan City will continue to do its utmost—with the belief that the local economy drives the national economy—to support SMEs, small business owners, and tangible domestic consumption recovery for our citizens.”