Deputy PM nominee Lee visits traditional market ahead of chuseok to check prices

Lee Hyung-il, nominee for deputy prime minister and minister of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, visited Gongneung Dokkaebi Market in Nowon-gu, Seoul, on Friday to check living price trends ahead of chuseok and hear merchants' concerns, the ministry said.

The National Assembly adopted Lee's confirmation hearing report on Thursday, leaving only President Lee Jae Myung's formal approval pending.

Lee also stopped by a refund booth inside the market to check whether the government's Onuri gift voucher cashback program — which reimburses up to 20,000 won ($14) on purchases of domestically produced agricultural, livestock and fishery products — was running smoothly as part of the government's livelihood stabilization measures.

"Traditional markets are a quintessential livelihood scene where people's daily lives and local economies meet," Lee said. "Going forward, I will carefully monitor grocery prices and the difficulties facing traditional markets and small business owners, and diligently check that the government's livelihood stabilization measures are being carried out smoothly on the ground."

He also pledged to ensure the benefits of economic recovery reach small business owners and communities across the country. "Alongside easing the immediate burden on people's livelihoods, it is equally important to strengthen the self-sustaining competitiveness of small business owners," he said. "I will faithfully reflect the voices from the field in policy and push forward livelihood measures that people can actually feel, with a sense of urgency."

The government earlier announced a chuseok livelihood stabilization package and a supplementary plan, under which it is pursuing discount support and expanded supply of essential goods worth 193 billion won ($140 million) through the end of this month — more than double the amount from last year.