Seoul widens delivery discounts and vouchers across all Han River parks

# What changed Seoul is expanding a delivery-discount program aimed at people eating outdoors along the Han River and shoppers using the city's public delivery platform, Seoul Delivery Plus Ddangyo. The initiative now covers all 11 Han River parks and 17 designated drop-off zones and runs through Nov. 30.

# How the riverside discount works Visitors who place orders of 25,000 won or more through Ddangyo at the designated park drop-off zones receive an immediate 3,000 won discount. The expansion increases the program's duration to two months and adds popular riverside locations such as Yeouido, Ttukseom and Banpo. The program began as an August pilot covering three parks.

# Extra benefits for Seoul Love Gift Certificate holders

# Why the city is pushing Ddangyo Seoul frames the move as a response to rising food costs and as a way to provide a lower-cost delivery alternative to private apps that charge higher commissions and advertising fees. Ddangyo is a public-private partnership operated with Shinhan Bank. The platform hit user milestones this year: more than 3 million users in Seoul by July and 10 million registered users nationwide by September.

# Merchant incentives and platform economics For merchants, the city offers incentives designed to reduce operating costs. New storefronts registering on Ddangyo will have brokerage fees fully waived through the end of the year. Top-rated vendors can receive 100,000 won stipends. Ddangyo caps commission at 2% and charges no advertising fees, compared with private apps that can charge commissions up to 9.7% plus advertising costs.

# City statement Park Kyung-hwan, director general of the Labor and Small Business Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "We designed these discounts and rebates so citizens can feel real savings on their dining costs, whether they are enjoying a day at the park or ordering meal takeout at home. We will continue fostering a sustainable delivery ecosystem that lowers operational expenses for small business owners while offering practical savings to consumers."

# Timing and related promotions The riverside promotion runs through Nov. 30. Citywide gift-card changes and merchant fee waivers remain in place through the end of the year. To mark Ddangyo's national milestone, Seoul and Shinhan Bank are also running user giveaways, including cash prizes for reviews and gift certificates tied to social media participation.

# What this means for consumers and merchants Consumers: If you plan picnics or frequent deliveries, use Ddangyo at Han River drop-off zones and consider Seoul Love Gift Certificates to stack discounts and rebates. Merchants: Registering with Ddangyo now reduces or eliminates certain fees and may provide short-term stipends if rated highly.

# Practical takeaway Use the city platform and gift certificates this autumn to lower delivery costs at riverside parks and to gain larger cashback on city-issued gift cards before the year-end incentive period ends.