# South Korean consumer spending and merchant fee relief

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-consumer-spending-and-merchant-fee-relief
> Updated: 2026-08-11T03:08:51.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

South Korea has seen a recovery in consumer spending, with second-quarter credit card approval amounts rising 7.6% year-on-year to 336.9 trillion won. This growth, which reached a 13-quarter high, is attributed to improved consumer conditions, stronger corporate earnings, and government measures to stabilize prices.

In conjunction with these economic trends, regulatory relief is being provided to small and micro-merchants through reduced credit card transaction fees. Starting August 14, approximately 3.09 million merchants with annual sales of 3 billion won or less will qualify for preferential rates. Additionally, a refund process will return approximately 61.47 billion won to 159,000 qualifying merchants to account for the difference between standard fees and the new preferential rates.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-11: South Korean small merchants to receive credit card fee reductions

Over 3 million small and micro-merchants in South Korea will receive preferential credit card fee rates, with new businesses from the first half of the year set to receive approximately 61.47 billion won in fee

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-small-merchants-to-receive-credit-card-fee-reductions

### 2026-07-30: South Korea’s Q2 card approvals climb 7.6% as consumer spending recovers

South Korea’s Q2 credit‑card approvals jumped 7.6% to 336.9 trillion won, with transaction counts up 6%, reflecting stronger consumer confidence and supportive government policies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-koreas-q2-card-approvals-climb-76-as-consumer-spending-recovers

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Cite as: South Korean consumer spending and merchant fee relief. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-consumer-spending-and-merchant-fee-relief