What is being proposed?

A council member in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, has introduced an amendment to the city's small business support ordinance. According to the Seosan City Council, the change would help local merchants that sell through a public delivery platform by covering part of their delivery costs and promotional expenses.

How much support would businesses receive?

According to the city's cost estimate, 500 member businesses would receive 200,000 won per year in delivery fee support next year. The number would rise to 1,000 businesses from 2028. Each business would also get 50,000 won a year to issue discount coupons to customers.

| Item | Recipients | Amount | |---|---|---| | Delivery fee support | 500 businesses (2027), 1,000 businesses (2028 onward) | 200,000 won per year each | | Consumer coupon support | Participating businesses | 50,000 won per year each | | App-exclusive coupons | 200 consumers per month | 4,500 won per coupon |

Who pays for it?

Delivery fee support would be funded 30% by the province and 70% by the city. The cost of consumer discount coupons would be covered entirely by the city.

Why is the council acting now?

Lee Jeong-su, who introduced the amendment, said it is meant to ease the financial pressure on small businesses caused by rising prices and the high brokerage fees charged by private delivery apps.

When will the proposal be decided?

The amendment is scheduled to be deliberated and voted on at the provisional council session starting October 20.

For international fans

This is a local policy story rather than an entertainment one. Public delivery platforms are government-backed apps that charge lower commission fees than many private services, and similar programs have been introduced in several Korean cities to support local shops.