The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) and the National Merchants Association expressed their 'opposition' to the consideration of allowing food material marts as eligible locations for the livelihoods recovery consumer coupon.
On the 8th, the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) released a statement, expressing concern that "the policy to expand the eligible locations for the livelihoods recovery consumer coupon, including food material marts, undermines the original goal of revitalizing micro enterprises and promoting a virtuous cycle in the local economy while dampening the effectiveness of the policy."
The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) urged to halt discussions on expanding the eligible locations for consumer coupons, stating, "Expanding to include food material marts, which persistently face controversies over illegal and unethical practices such as aggressive business methods like operating 24/7, supplier abuses, and splitting operational areas, essentially condones their role as a 'black hole' for coupons."
That day, Jeon Sang-yeon also released a statement, noting that "loosening the criteria for using livelihoods recovery consumer coupons at food material marts and similar places disappoints traditional market merchants who are struggling" and demanded a complete halt to the relaxation of the consumer coupon usage criteria.
Jeon Sang-yeon also requested that "through fair and universal policy design aimed at revitalizing traditional markets and shopping districts, careful policy planning should be pursued to energize local commercial districts."