Eight traditional markets to be visited from Friday through Sept. 21 ... purchases of ritual and food items
District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho tours markets in turn to encourage vendors and hear their concerns
Gwangjin-gu is running a "Chuseok Traditional Market Shopping" campaign from Friday through Sept. 21 to boost the local commercial district ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
The "holiday shopping" initiative, in which Gwangjin-gu office employees take part, was organized to breathe new life into traditional markets struggling under the economic slowdown and to show support for vendors.
Employees visit their department's designated traditional market on a voluntary basis to purchase ritual offering items, groceries and other goods.
The eight participating markets are Junggok Jeil Alley Market, Jayang Traditional Market, Hwayang Jeil Alley Market, Yeongdonggyo Alley Market, Norunsan Alley Market, Jayang Han River Traditional Market, Sinseong Traditional Market and Myeongok Market.
Gwangjin-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho is also visiting the markets in turn to join the shopping and hear from vendors. After stopping by Myeongok Market and Sinseong Traditional Market on Friday, he will visit Jayang Traditional Market on Wednesday, Junggok Jeil Alley Market on Thursday, Jayang Han River Traditional Market and Norunsan Alley Market and Yeongdonggyo Alley Market on Friday, and Hwayang Jeil Alley Market on Monday.
Kim will walk through each market, greet vendors and personally purchase holiday staples. He also plans to hear firsthand about the difficulties vendors face and any suggestions they may have, with an eye toward identifying practical support measures to revitalize traditional markets.
A range of events has also been arranged for shoppers. Depending on each market's schedule, customers who spend above a set amount will be eligible for Onnuri gift-voucher rebates, prize draws and complimentary gifts. Some markets will offer customers who spend 10,000 won ($7) or more the chance to win prizes through a traditional tuho ring-toss game, adding a festive activity to the shopping experience.
From Wednesday through Sunday, Jayang Traditional Market will offer rebates of up to 30 percent of the purchase amount in Onnuri gift vouchers on domestic agricultural, livestock and fishery products; Junggok Jeil Alley Market on domestic agricultural and livestock products; and Norunsan Alley Market on domestic fishery products. The rebate is capped at 20,000 won per person and is expected to ease the financial burden on residents doing their holiday shopping.
"I hope residents will prepare their Chuseok table settings at traditional markets, where they can find generous hospitality and quality products," Kim said. "I will listen carefully to what vendors have to say and continue providing support that makes a real difference to traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts."
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