Campaign runs every last Friday of the month through year-end, boosting patronage at 74 designated affordable businesses in dining, barbering, beauty and lodging; officials set the example to spread a culture of community-minded spending, while new businesses are recruited and tailored incentives strengthen participating shops
Jongno-gu, led by District Mayor Jung Mun-heon, is rolling out a campaign to ease the burden of high prices and inject new energy into neighborhood commercial districts.
The district has designated the last Friday of every month through December as "Good Price Business Day."
"Good Price Businesses" — "착한가격업소" — are establishments recognized for offering reasonable prices and quality service that help stabilize local living costs. Local governments nationwide designate and monitor them directly under Ministry of Interior and Safety guidelines. The system delivers a dual benefit: lower costs for consumers and a stable sales base for small-business owners.
The campaign starts with public officials leading by example. The district is encouraging departments to hold their monthly lunches, meetings and small gatherings at Good Price Businesses on the last Friday of each month, aiming to revitalize the local economy and embed a culture of community-minded spending.
As of Wednesday, Jongno-gu has designated 74 Good Price Businesses across dining, barbering, beauty and lodging. Locations, signature menus and price information for each establishment are available on the Good Price Business website.
Beyond running the campaign, the district is actively scouting new participants. Residents and officials who spot a business worth recommending for its price and quality can submit a tip at any time; the district reviews submissions and adds qualifying businesses to the list. The goal is to broaden consumer choice by consistently growing the roster of vetted, value-for-money establishments.
The district will also provide first-half tailored incentives to participating businesses through July to strengthen the financial resilience of shops contributing to local price stability. Support reaches up to 500,000 won (about $328) per business, with amounts varying by designation date: businesses designated before 2025 receive 500,000 won, while those newly designated between January and March 2026 receive 250,000 won. A second round of incentive support is planned for October and November.
"We want public officials to take the lead in visiting Good Price Businesses, spread a culture of warm-hearted spending, and serve as a catalyst for local economic recovery," District Mayor Jung said. "We hope residents will join us and show their support for the shops in our neighborhoods."
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