The government will hold the 'Second Korea Grand Festival', a national-level consumption festival, from the 29th through November 15. Hanwoo beef and seafood will be sold at up to 50% off, and discounts on local love gift certificates will be increased.

The government said it reported the event plan, aimed at reviving domestic demand and energizing local commercial districts, to the Cabinet meeting on the 27th. The festival merges consumption promotion events that ministries had held separately, such as the Dongheng Festival and the K-Sale Festa, into one.

The number of participating companies has grown to about 40,000 this year. Mechanisms linking alley commercial districts with tourism and cultural programs have been strengthened, with a focus on ensuring that money spent by citizens is connected to sales for small businesses and micro-merchants and to the revitalization of local commercial districts.

In time for the kimchi-making season, kimchi ingredients such as napa cabbage, radish, chili peppers, garlic and ginger can be bought at up to 40% off from the 29th through December 2 at about 300 retailers nationwide, including supermarkets and local agricultural cooperatives. The Hanwoo discount (up to 50%) runs from the 28th through November 8 at retailers nationwide. Seafood such as laver, salted shrimp and sun-dried sea salt will also be discounted by up to 50% from the same day through November 29 at supermarkets nationwide, public home shopping and other outlets.

The five domestic automakers (Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea and KG Mobility), along with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, will also begin discounts from November 1. The eligible models, products and discount rates will be announced on the day of the event. This is the first time Hyundai Motor and Kia certified used cars are taking part in the event.

Hypermarkets and supermarket chains (SSMs) will apply discounts of up to 50% or "1+1" sales to agricultural, livestock and fishery products, processed foods and household goods. Major department stores have prepared regular sales focused on winter clothing and fashion brand promotions, and convenience stores have prepared discounts on popular lunch boxes.

Online, Naver is running the 'K-Sale Festa Big Brand Week' with 25 processed food and household goods companies, and B Mart is opening a 'November 5th market' with prices cut by up to 60%.

Discount events for products from small and medium-sized businesses and micro-merchants will also be held. 11st, Gmarket, Grip and others offer 20% discounts through time deals and online live sales. Naver gives 20% discount coupons in its 'Kogfe 100 promotion' and discounts micro-merchant products by up to 60%. Coupang's 'Good Store' and Naver's 'K-Sale Festa Win-Win Market' help expand sales channels. Hyundai Ezwel and Lotte ON sell products from about 140 traditional market stores at up to 30% off, and Post Office Shopping holds a 'one-day special sale' on the first day of the event, the 29th, selling super-special items in limited quantities.

Local love gift certificates will see their discount rates rise by 5 percentage points over the usual rates during the event period as central government support increases. Rates of 13% in the Seoul metropolitan area, 15% outside it and 17% in population-decline areas apply, and the timing differs by local government. Some local governments add their own benefits, such as additional refunds, issuing more certificates and raising purchase limits. The discount rate on digital Onnuri gift certificates rises from the usual 7% to 10% from November 2 to 6.

A 'win-win consumption lottery' that selects 5,600 digital Onnuri gift certificate users and gives them a total of 1.7 billion won will also run through November 15. An entry ticket is issued each time cumulative payments reach 30,000 won, and payments made outside the Seoul metropolitan area earn double the tickets. Ten first-prize winners, drawn from entries made outside the Seoul metropolitan area, will receive 30 million won each. Prizes are paid in digital Onnuri gift certificates, and participants must apply through the Digital Onnuri app.

Nine card companies will offer billing discounts, cashback and prizes to customers who use alley commercial districts, traditional markets, Century-old Shops and Good Price Establishments. Eight public delivery apps, including Ddangyo and Meokkaebi, will also hold prize events for users worth a total of 10 million won.

In 159 local commercial districts and markets nationwide, district tours, discounts and coupon giveaways will continue. Linked programs such as refunds and cashback, cultural performances and temporary stores have also been arranged so that visitors to major shops such as Sungsimdang, Samjin Eomuk and Taegeukdang will also stop by nearby stores.

The joint opening ceremony will be held on the 31st around the old Andong Station in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. Discount events will be held together in five surrounding commercial districts, and a temporary tourist train linking Andong's tourist sites, traditional markets and the opening ceremony venue will also run.

From the 29th through November 15, admission is free to the four royal palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung), Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon Royal Tombs. Regular closing days and the Changdeokgung rear garden are excluded. On November 14, the National Orchestra of Korean music will give a free performance at the National Theater of Korea.

From the 30th through November 15, welcome events for foreign tourists will be held at major airports and ports, and tourist information will be provided in several languages. Portable Wi-Fi is discounted by 25%, and the AREX Direct Train by 2,000 won. Twenty-five duty-free shops nationwide, including online duty-free shops, will discount liquor, cosmetics and other items by up to 25%, and the 'K-Online Shopping Week', in which Olive Young, Musinsa, Kurly and others take part, will hold joint beauty, fashion and food promotions aimed at overseas consumers.

Details of discounts for each event and how to take part can be found on Instagram and the Korea Grand Festival integrated website.