Onnuri Gift Certificates (온누리 상품권)

Last Sunday, I received three Onnuri gift certificates from our church deacon. I didn't really know what they were for, but I accepted them anyway. Our church deacon said that I can use them to buy stuff from the traditional markets all over South Korea.

These are the gift certificates I received.

I put the certificates in my wallet, and I forgot about them until I passed by Gumi Central Market today. While I was walking, a banner hanging on the ceiling of the market caught my attention. It says, " You can use Onnuri gift certificates just like cash here in our market!" (우리 시장에서는 온누리상품권을 현금처럼 사용 하실 수 있습니다!)

Upon seeing the banner, I remembered the certificates I received from our deacon.

A banner at Gumi Central Market (구미 중앙 시장)

What are Onnuri Gift Certificates?

As you noticed, many grocery stores are sprouting like mushrooms all over the country. This situation affects the traditional markets in the country. In order to revitalize the traditional markets and help protect local economies, Onnuri gift certificates were created. These gift certificates can be used like cash when buying stuff in  traditional markets and other affiliated stores in the country. 

How to use the Onnuri Gift Certificates?

The gift certificates come in 5,000 won and 10,000 won denominations. They can't be exchanged for cash. However, if you buy something and the remaining amount  is more than 60% of the value of the gift certificate, the vendor will pay it out to you in cash. The validity of the gift certificate is five years from the date of issuance. 

The top one is a 10,000 won bill and the one below  is a gift certificate worth  10,000 won.

Where to purchase Onnuri Gift Certificates?

These gift certificates are available at all post offices all over the country and banks such as Community Credit Bank (새마을 금고), Shinhyeop Bank (신협은행), Woori Bank (우리 은행), Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK기업은행), Jeonuk Bank (JB 전북은행), Daegu Bank (DGB대구은행), Kwangju Bank (KJB광주은행), Busan Bank (BS부산은행), Gyeongnam Bank (경남은행), and National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NH농협은행).

UPDATE...

Today, I went back to Gumi Central Market to try buying fruit using the Onnuri Gift Certificates I have.

I walked around looking for fruit I want to buy. Then, I saw cherries and mangoes. They looked good. I walked toward the fruit stand. The woman came out. I talked to her in Korea. " 아주머니 제가 온누리 상품권을 잇는데 여기서 사용 하실 수 있어요?" ("Auntie, I have some Onnuri gift certificates. Can I use them here?") She replied smiling, "그럼" ("Of course, you can.") 

As soon as I heard her response, I smiled and started telling her what I want to buy.  I bought some cherries, a mango, and and some oranges. I paid her using two Onnuri gift certificates worth 10,000 won each. I left the fruit stand smiling. 

Simple experiences like this one make me happy.