South Korea will launch its second Korea Grand Festival on October 29, bringing 18 days of nationwide shopping discounts, tourism promotions and special offers through November 15.
The government-led shopping event will involve approximately 40,000 businesses, combining several existing sales campaigns covering automobiles, electronics, groceries, restaurants, accommodation and small businesses.
Major retailers will offer discounts of up to 50% on selected groceries, household products and other goods, while online shopping platforms will provide savings of up to 60% on certain items.
Seasonal food discounts will include up to 40% off kimchi-making ingredients from October 29 to December 2, up to 50% off Korean beef from October 28 to November 8, and up to 50% off selected seafood products through November 29.
Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea, Renault Korea and KG Mobility will join Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics in launching promotional sales on November 1. Specific vehicles, products and discount rates will be announced when the promotions begin.
Department stores will hold winter clothing sales, while convenience stores will offer discounts on popular lunchbox meals.
Online retailers, including Naver, Gmarket, 11st and Coupang, will participate in promotions supporting small businesses and local merchants.
Regional gift certificates will also receive additional government-backed discounts during the festival. Discount rates will increase to 13% in the Seoul metropolitan area, 15% outside the capital region and 17% in designated population-declining areas. Implementation dates will vary by local government.
Digital Onnuri gift certificates will be sold at a 10% discount from November 2 to 6, up from the usual 7%.
A separate promotional lottery will distribute 1.7 billion won in digital Onnuri gift certificates to 5,600 winners. Participants must register through the Digital Onnuri app, with entries awarded for every 30,000 won spent. Purchases outside the capital region will receive double entries.
Local shopping districts and traditional markets across 159 locations will also organize discount events, shopping tours and cultural activities.
Tourism promotions will include free admission to Seoul’s four major royal palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and Joseon royal tombs from October 29 to November 15, excluding regular closing days and Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden.
International visitors will be offered additional benefits, including discounted portable Wi-Fi rentals, airport express train tickets and duty-free shopping promotions.
Twenty-five duty-free stores nationwide will offer discounts of up to 25% on selected products.
The official opening ceremony will take place on October 31 at the former Andong Station site in North Gyeongsang Province.
Further information about participating businesses, discounts and individual promotions will be available through the Korea Grand Festival’s official website and Instagram account.
