The Gangnam-gu Assembly visited the "2026 Chuseok Gangnam-gu Direct-Trade Market" held Wednesday morning at the Gangnam-gu district office parking lot ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
The market draws participation from 39 local governments across the country — including Gangnam-gu — and 79 farming households. It features 60 booths selling quality agricultural, fishery and livestock products from around the country, along with a food market.
Visitors were also able to take part in a range of hands-on events, including a Chuseok lucky-pouch drawing and traditional games.
Regions with friendship ties to Gangnam-gu — including Yangpyeong-gun in Gyeonggi Province, Dangjin in South Chungcheong Province, Yanggu-gun in Gangwon Province, Chilgok-gun in North Gyeongsang Province, Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province, and Naju in South Jeolla Province — operated their own promotional booths and showcased local specialties, underscoring the spirit of urban-rural exchange and mutual growth.
The opening ceremony drew several guests of honor, including Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyeon-gi and Yeongju Mayor Hwang Byeong-jik, as well as city assembly members Kim Gil-yeong and Lee Do-hui. Highlights included a performance in which a large five-colored pojagi wrapping cloth — symbolizing harmony and good fortune — was ceremonially unwrapped, and a celebratory set by fusion traditional-music band Gugakin Gayo.
Assembly Speaker Lee Jae-jin, Deputy Speaker Kim Hyeon-jeong, Operations Committee Chair Kang Hyeon-seop, Administration and Safety Committee Chair Lee In-seon, Economy and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Song Yeong-gwang, Welfare and Culture Committee Chair Oh On-nuri, and assembly members Bok Jin-gyeong, Lee Dong-ho, Lee Sang-ae, Kim Jin-gyeong, U Jong-hyeok, Park Dae-yong, Kim Yun-hui, Han Seong-sun, Lee Jong-won (District Na), Yeom Hui-ok, Hwang Tae-hyeon, Lee Jong-won (District Ma), Go Eun-jin, Yun Su-hyeok, Bae Geun-hui, Eun Myeong-ju and No Mi-jin attended the event. They toured the market, met farmers and organizers, examined local specialties and the urban-rural exchange scene, and engaged with residents who came to shop.
"It is heartening to be able to confidently present residents with the finest local specialties from the 39 municipalities that have forged friendship ties with Gangnam-gu," Speaker Lee said. "The Gangnam-gu Assembly will continue to show sustained interest and support so that this platform for urban-rural cooperation can grow even more vibrant." He also extended a holiday greeting to residents, saying, "I hope you take home a heart full of warmth and abundance from today's market and enjoy a happy Chuseok."
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