Public delivery app ‘Meokkaebi’ (Screen capture from Meokkaebi’s homepage)
JEJU, May 14 (Korea Bizwire) — As food delivery fees and dining costs continue to climb, consumers in South Korea’s Jeju Province are turning in growing numbers to Meokkaebi, a government-backed public delivery app offering lower prices and incentives.
According to provincial officials on Wednesday, monthly orders on Meokkaebi surged to 62,546 in April 2025, up 431% from 11,771 in April 2024. March orders also rose sharply to over 40,000, a 190% year-on-year increase.
The number of participating restaurants has expanded in tandem, with 4,266 eateries across Jeju now registered with Meokkaebi, accounting for roughly 20% of the island’s food service establishments. That’s up from 2,793 at the end of 2023 and 3,358 by late 2024.
Meokkaebi charges a standard delivery fee of 3,000 won, which the Jeju provincial government currently subsidizes once per user per day. The app also boasts lower merchant fees — a minimum commission rate of 1.5% — and does not charge for registration, monthly use, or advertising, making it attractive to small businesses.
In March 2025, Jeju launched a promotional “3GO Challenge” to boost usage, offering additional benefits such as a 15% reward in the local digital currency, Tamna Pay, for orders made via the app.
Due to the app’s rising popularity, the province anticipates that its current budget for delivery fee subsidies may soon run out. Officials say they are seeking additional funds to sustain the program amid ongoing inflation pressures in the food delivery market.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
