SMEs ministry streamlines Onnuri renewal for 147,000 merchants

The SMEs ministry said Monday it had streamlined renewal procedures for roughly 147,000 Onnuri gift certificate merchants whose registrations expire on Oct. 18, as the program enters its first large-scale renewal cycle. The cycle is the first since an April 2023 amendment introduced a three-year validity period for merchant registrations.

Merchants must submit renewal applications by Oct. 8. To reduce the burden, the ministry will use administrative information-sharing and MyData systems to waive business-registration certificates and sales documents. Merchant associations can also submit applications in bulk for their members.

The ministry plans to deploy 20 additional support workers to regional SME offices during the renewal period to advise merchants and review documents needing correction. It will also work with 16 financial institutions that handle Onnuri vouchers to publicize the application process.

It will send renewal reminders through AlimTalk and the Digital Onnuri app, while a task force of ministry headquarters, regional offices and the Small Enterprise and Market Service will monitor renewals daily and hold review meetings twice a month. Second Vice Minister Lee Byeong-kwon said, "We will promptly identify difficulties raised in the field and continue to improve them."