Interior ministry signs agreement with Woowa Brothers to promote affordable stores

The interior ministry said Monday it signed an agreement with Woowa Brothers, operator of the Baedal Minjok delivery app, to promote affordable-price stores as consumer prices remain high.

Before the signing, Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung visited a shelter for mobile workers in Seoul's Mapo district, inspecting its air conditioning and extended weekend hours. The ministry said it was assessing cooling-shelter access and convenience for mobile workers and other vulnerable groups as a record heat wave persisted nationwide. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters had been raised to level 2 on Aug. 2.

From Aug. 17, Woowa Brothers will issue a 3,000 won discount coupon to the first 3,000 customers ordering food from the stores through the app. The ministry said the discount would reduce consumers' dining costs and support small-business sales.

The agreement also calls for online promotion, delivery-platform discount events, links to information about the stores and promotional content, as well as additional cooperative projects. The partners will use Baedal Minjok's Together Store section to introduce the affordable-price store program.

"The stores are valuable places that people can use without financial burden in their daily lives, and they provide a foundation for price stability even in difficult economic conditions," Yoon said.

The government provides designated stores with goods, reductions in local public utility charges and free electrical and gas-safety inspections, while deferring regular tax audits for up to two years. It also supports a 2,000 won discount program with nine card companies and map-app search services.

The ministry said 12,645 affordable-price stores were operating nationwide at the end of June, offering lower prices and quality services compared with businesses in surrounding commercial districts.