Up to 50% Discounts on Domestic Seafood for Chuseok – Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Launches Largest-Ever Campaign
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF, Minister Jeon Jae-soo) announced that it will roll out the largest-ever seafood discount campaign and expand government stock supplies ahead of Chuseok. The initiative, part of the government’s “Chuseok People’s Livelihood Stabilization Measures,” aims to promote consumption of domestic seafood and stabilize household food prices.
Largest-Ever Seafood Discount Events
From September 17 to October 12, the “Korea Seafood Grand Sale – Chuseok Special” will be held at 44 retail chains and online malls nationwide. Popular seafood items such as pollack, mackerel, hairtail, squid, croaker, anchovies, as well as seaweed, abalone, blue crabs, and flatfish will be sold at discounts of up to 50%.
In addition, from October 1 to 5, over 200 traditional markets will host the “Onnuri Gift Certificate Refund Event.” Shoppers purchasing domestic seafood will receive up to 30% of the purchase amount refunded in Onnuri gift certificates (maximum KRW 20,000 per person). In 18 traditional markets located in designated disaster areas, the refund event will run earlier, from September 26 to 30.
Every Thursday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., consumers can also purchase “seafood-only mobile vouchers” at a 20% discount via ZeroPay. For this Chuseok season, the issuance volume has been doubled to KRW 20 billion per week.
Meanwhile, the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (SUHYUP) will sell special “People’s Seafood Gift Sets” at up to 45% off. These sets, including croaker, hairtail, abalone, and other items commonly used for ancestral rites or in need of consumption promotion, can be purchased through SUHYUP’s online and offline stores as well as KakaoTalk’s gifting platform.
13,500 Tons of Government Stocked Seafood to Be Released
To further stabilize prices, the government will release 13,500 tons of its reserved seafood—double the usual volume—into the market. This includes six key items: pollack, mackerel, hairtail, croaker, and others. Some of the supply will be processed into items like filleted pollack for easier preparation during the holiday.
The MOF has also set up a “Seafood Supply Stabilization Task Force” to monitor daily prices of items vulnerable to sharp increases and conduct on-site inspections led by senior officials.
“Lighten the Burden, Enjoy a Rich Holiday”
Minister Jeon Jae-soo stated, “Ahead of Chuseok, we are releasing ample government seafood reserves and preparing the largest-ever discount campaigns. We hope the public can enjoy tasty, nutritious domestic seafood at affordable prices and prepare their holiday tables with lighter hearts.”
