Hongcheon-gun's agricultural and specialty products have made their way to Seoul — and city residents have taken notice. The initiative also offered a warm display of urban-rural cooperation, with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Hongcheon-gun County Chief Shin Young-jae appearing side by side at the event.
Hongcheon-gun joined the local market component of "Seoul Local: Connect," a community partnership event organized in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, to showcase the county's finest farm and specialty products to Greater Seoul consumers.
The event was designed to introduce quality regional agricultural and processed goods to Seoul residents while opening new sales channels for local producers. Organizers particularly focused on using retail spaces inside Seoul subway stations to bring regional products into the everyday routines of commuters.
Hongcheon-gun kicked off the series with a preview market at Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 on Monday and Tuesday. A main market will then run at Mia Sageori Station on Line 4 from Nov. 19 to 21 and again from Nov. 26 to 28, for a total of six days.
Farms and businesses from across Hongcheon-gun will participate in the market, presenting locally grown agricultural products alongside a range of processed goods made from them. Visitors can browse and purchase Hongcheon specialties on the spot, including ginseng, glutinous corn and omija berries, as well as various processed food items.
Holding the market inside busy Seoul subway stations — rather than at a dedicated large-scale venue — gives the event particular significance. The format is expected to broaden direct contact with Greater Seoul consumers, raise awareness of Hongcheon's agricultural products and expand sales opportunities for participating businesses.
"We hope this local market will serve as an opportunity to introduce Hongcheon's outstanding farm and specialty products to Greater Seoul consumers and open new sales channels for local producers," a Hongcheon-gun official said. "We will continue to identify diverse retail and sales channels to help boost the income of local farms and businesses and invigorate the regional economy."
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