Wonju Innovation City Achieves Landmark ‘Alley-Type Shopping District’ Designation
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A new economic boost is headed to Wonju Innovation city, as its commercial district has been officially designated as an “alley-type shopping district” – a first for any innovative city in the nation. The designation, announced on Thursday by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), is expected to revitalize local businesses and increase consumer spending through the expanded use of Onnuri gift certificates.
A Collaborative Effort for Economic Growth
the successful designation is the result of a concerted effort between public, private, and public sector stakeholders, spearheaded by HIRA. For the past three years, the Wonju Innovation City Merchants’ Association has actively pursued this designation, overcoming challenges related to meeting stringent legal requirements, such as store density. A key turning point came in April, when Wonju City Hall, in partnership with the Korea Market Promotion Agency, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to lay the groundwork for the initiative.
“This is a long-awaited dream of local small business owners,” stated a senior official at HIRA. “It is indeed very meaningful that the Review and Assessment Service could participate in this designation. We will continue to provide support so that it can grow into a commercial district that represents Wonju.”
Expanding Access to Onnuri Gift Certificates
The alley-type shopping district designation unlocks access to Onnuri gift certificates – traditionally used in traditional markets – for businesses within Wonju Innovation City. This expansion encompasses a wide range of daily consumption industries, including restaurants, cafes, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, beauty salons, and arts and physical education academies.
According to a 2022 study by the Korea International Economic Association, businesses that accept Onnuri gift certificates experience an average daily sales increase of approximately 27%. Based on this data,officials anticipate a potential 10 billion won annual increase in sales for the 626 designated shopping malls across the city’s five districts.
Strategic Implementation and Future Growth
The designation process involved a phased approach, utilizing zone subdivision to strategically meet national criteria. Last August, Wonju Innovation City achieved a preliminary milestone by becoming the first innovative city to have one district prioritized for designation nationwide. Following ongoing administrative support and professional consulting,the decision was made to designate the entire commercial area.
HIRA plans to leverage this designation as a catalyst for further consumption promotion activities, aiming to establish Wonju Innovation City as a thriving commercial hub. The organization is committed to providing continued support to ensure the long-term success and growth of the district.
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