Gyeonggi Provincial Cultural Center Implements 'Pay-Back' Program Linked to Local Currency

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hoon] The Gyeonggi Provincial Cultural Center (President Lee Woo-jong) will implement a Pay-Back program linking local currency and performances starting in August. It is the first pilot operation among Gyeonggi Province public institutions and applies to self-planned performances hosted and organized by the Provincial Cultural Center at the Cultural Center and the Gyeonggi National Gugak Center.

According to the Provincial Cultural Center on the 31st, the target local currencies are currently from 28 cities and counties in the province (local currencies from Seongnam, Siheung, and Gimpo will be implemented later), and it is scheduled to be first applied to the planned performance 'Wanderer' at the Provincial Cultural Center's small theater on August 6.

The Provincial Cultural Center plans to subsequently mark performances eligible for the ticket Pay-Back program as "refundable performances" on printed promotional materials and the website for customer convenience.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Cultural Center's local currency Pay-Back program refunds approximately 20% of the actual ticket purchase price in the form of prepaid card-type local currency. For example, tickets with a face value of less than 30,000 won are refunded as 4,000 won cards, tickets between 30,000 and 50,000 won are refunded as 8,000 won, and tickets of 50,000 won or more are refunded as 10,000 won cards.

On the day of the performance, visitors can receive refunds at a separate local currency distribution counter from the ticket distribution counter by presenting their tickets.

Among currently operating local currencies, refunds will be provided in the regional currency of the audience member's choice, and since refunds are made in anonymous prepaid cards, anyone holding the card can use it. The prepaid card can be converted to a named account and recharged at any time through the Gyeonggi Local Currency mobile application.

Lee Woo-jong, president of the Provincial Cultural Center, said "The Gyeonggi Provincial Cultural Center is expected to bring a new wind to the local economy and small-scale commercial districts through performances. We will continue to implement various programs that align with this purpose."

An official from Gyeonggi Province said "As local currency, which is being promoted as a priority project to increase actual sales for small-scale merchants and alleyway commercial districts, is utilized in various forms, we have achieved the effect of expanding issuance and use," adding "We hope residents will maintain continued interest for a successful settlement."