# South Korean Chuseok holiday market preparations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-chuseok-holiday-market-preparations > Updated: 2026-09-11T01:37:03.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 12. In preparation for the 2026 Chuseok holiday, South Korean authorities are implementing multi-layered measures to stabilize prices and stimulate consumption. While food manufacturers have raised prices for staples due to rising raw material and logistics costs, the government is countering these trends with significant financial support. National efforts include an additional 90 billion won budget for agricultural and livestock discount support, with the discount period extended to September 30 and individual purchase limits removed. To alleviate the burden on households, the government is also increasing the supply of reserve fishery products and expanding discounts on processed foods. Local governments are launching regional initiatives to support traditional markets. Incheon and Jeju provinces are hosting Onnuri gift certificate refund events, allowing consumers to receive up to 20,000 won in certificates for purchasing domestic agricultural or fishery products. Jeju is also conducting inspections to ensure origin labeling accuracy, while Buan County is holding fishery product refund events. In Seoul, the Metropolitan Government is issuing 265 billion won in Seoul Love Gift Certificates, comprising 80 billion won in metropolitan-wide certificates and 185 billion won in district-specific certificates. In a new initiative to prevent digital exclusion, 8 billion won of the metropolitan certificates are reserved for senior citizens (those born before 1961) with a priority purchasing window from September 14 to 17. These certificates offer a total benefit of 7% through a 5% discount and 2% payback. General metropolitan certificates will be released on September 18, with sales managed by birth year to mitigate server traffic. ## Claims - South Korea's consumer price inflation rose to 3.1% in August, up from 2.8% in July. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Mobile phone fees increased by 26.7% year-on-year in August. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Excluding the base effect of last year's mobile phone fee discounts, the August inflation rate is estimated at 2.5%. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Core inflation reached 3.4%, the highest level in 3 years and 3 months. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The oil price ceiling system is estimated to have reduced the consumer price inflation rate by 0.5 percentage points. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The government will invest 103 billion won to provide discounts of 40% to 50% on agricultural and livestock products ahead of Chuseok. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Public service prices increased by 6.5%, the highest rate since August 2001. (corroborated by 2 sources) - New Balance is increasing the price of its '509' shoe model by 14% due to exchange rates and raw material costs. (single source) - Oil prices contributed 0.54 percentage point to the year-on-year consumer price growth in August. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Seoul issues 265 billion won in gift certificates for Chuseok Seoul is issuing 265 billion won in gift certificates for Chuseok, featuring a new priority purchase window for senior citizens to ensure equitable access to discounts. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/seoul-issues-265-billion-won-in-gift-certificates-for-chuseok ### 2026-09-09: E-mart Chuseok gift set pre-order sales hit record high E-mart achieved record-breaking Chuseok gift set pre-order sales, up 21.2% year-on-year, as consumers utilize early bird discounts to combat high inflation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/e-mart-chuseok-gift-set-pre-order-sales-hit-record-high ### 2026-09-08: South Korea implements Chuseok price stabilization measures South Korean authorities are launching widespread discount programs and Onnuri gift certificate refunds at traditional markets to stabilize prices and support consumption during the Chuseok holiday. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-increases-chuseok-price-stability-budget-by-90-billion-won ### 2026-09-07: South Korean convenience stores launch Chuseok meal kits South Korean convenience stores CU, GS25, Seven-Eleven, and Emart24 are launching Chuseok-themed meal kits and lunch boxes to cater to single-person households. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-convenience-stores-launch-chuseok-meal-kits ### 2026-09-05: South Korea Chuseok ritual food costs expected to exceed 300,000 won Chuseok ritual food costs in South Korea are expected to exceed 300,000 won at traditional markets, driven by rising prices for vegetables and livestock due to summer weather conditions. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chuseok-ritual-food-costs-rise-due-to-livestock-and-seafood-price-hikes ### 2026-09-04: Korea Customs Service announces Chuseok special support measures The Korea Customs Service is implementing a special support plan for Chuseok, featuring 24-hour customs clearance, import price disclosures, and financial relief for exporters to ensure holiday supply stability 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/korea-customs-service-announces-chuseok-special-support-measures ### 2026-09-02: South Korean department stores launch luxury Chuseok gift sales South Korean department stores like Lotte, Shinsegae, and Hyundai have launched Chuseok gift sales, featuring ultra-luxury items ranging from rare beef to 360 million won wine collections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-department-stores-launch-luxury-chuseok-gift-sales ### 2026-09-02: South Korea CPI rises 3.1% in August South Korea's August CPI rose 3.1% year-on-year, driven by high mobile communication fees and public service costs, despite a slowdown in petroleum price growth. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-cpi-rises-31-in-august ### 2026-09-01: South Korea announces record supply and discounts for Chuseok South Korea is launching a massive Chuseok stability plan, supplying 183,000 tons of essential goods and providing 103 billion won in discounts to combat rising food prices and support small businesses. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-announces-record-supply-and-discounts-for-chuseok ### 2026-08-31: South Korea inflation rises to 3.1% in August South Korea's August consumer inflation rose to 3.1%, driven by a 26.7% jump in mobile fees and rising public service costs. Core inflation hit a 3-year high of 3.4%. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-food-and-consumer-prices-rise-ahead-of-chuseok ### 2026-08-24: South Korea releases 20,000 tons of seafood to stabilize Chuseok prices South Korea will release a record 20,000 tons of reserved seafood, including pollack and mackerel, at up to 40% discounts to stabilize prices during the Chuseok holiday. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-releases-20000-tons-of-seafood-to-stabilize-chuseok-prices ### 2026-08-24: Korean companies launch diverse Chuseok gift sets Korean brands Samjin Amook and Gwangjuyo are launching diverse Chuseok gift sets, ranging from premium fish cake meal kits to traditional modern ceramics, to meet holiday consumer demands. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/korean-companies-launch-diverse-chuseok-gift-sets --- Cite as: South Korean Chuseok holiday market preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-chuseok-holiday-market-preparations