"It's worse than COVID-19..."Let's revive the local economy."

[Anchor]
Small business owners and self-employed people are being hit by a series of cancellations of group reservations, including year-end parties, in the aftermath of the impeachment scandal.

Suwon City has come up with measures for people's livelihoods as some say it is more difficult than during the COVID-19 infectious disease pandemic.

This is reporter Choi Ki-sung.

[Reporter]
This is a weekday evening in Ingye-dong, the largest busy street in Suwon.

A self-employed person who has run a restaurant for nearly two decades says he has seen a noticeable drop in customers since the emergency.

[Mr. A / Meat Restaurant (Ingye-dong, Suwon): I think it's not good psychologically because I'm politically unstable. I think it's worse now than during COVID-19.]

Another self-employed person complains that a series of scheduled year-end party reservations are being canceled.

[Mr. B / Running a ssambap restaurant (Ingye-dong, Suwon): There were a few cancellations even this week. Since the atmosphere is so down right now, it's not like we're drinking, so it's being canceled a lot.]

As this situation continued, the city of Suwon announced measures to revitalize the local economy and commercial districts.

Starting next month, the local currency 'Suwon Pay' charging limit will be raised from 300,000 won to 500,000 won per month, and incentives will also be raised from 7% to 10%.

If you charge 500,000 won, you get 50,000 won more, but in January when there is a Lunar New Year holiday, you pay 100,000 won if you charge 500,000 won.

City Hall and district cafeteria were closed once a week to use nearby alley restaurants, and each institution decided to regularize shopping at traditional markets in Suwon once a month.

We will also strengthen financial support for small and medium-sized businesses.

In the first half of next year, loan interest support will be expanded from 2% to 2.5% for six months to companies receiving new loans.

[Lee Jae-joon / Suwon Mayor: The time is urgent because the livelihood of the commercial district and the common people is at stake in anticipation of the year-end special. We intend to minimize the damage by using all means and resources that Suwon City can do to stabilize the local economy.The city of

has also sent an official letter of cooperation to all public institutions to refrain from canceling year-end meetings.

This is YTN Choi Ki Sung.

Edit
video: Jang Myung-ho

Video cooperation: Suwon City Hall

Design: Jung Eun-ok