Mapo-gu Opens Direct Market for Lunar New Year Celebration

Gu Opens Lunar New Year Direct Market at District Office Plaza on 21-22... Agricultural and Specialty Products from 8 Sister Regions 5-20% Cheaper Than Market Price

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) will open the "Seol Holiday Agricultural and Specialty Products Direct Market" for two days from the 21st to the 22nd in the square in front of the district office, allowing residents to easily purchase high-quality agricultural and specialty products for the Lunar New Year.

This direct market will feature 28 companies from eight regions nationwide, including Yecheon-gun in Gyeongbuk, a sister city of Mapo-gu, as well as Gokseong-gun, Gochang-gun, Imsil-gun, Cheongyang-gun, and Yeongwol-gun.

The market hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Various ritual items such as apples, dried persimmons, chestnuts, wild greens, and grains grown in clean areas, as well as traditional processed foods like doenjang (fermented soybean paste), gochujang (red chili paste), and cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste), will be sold. High-quality local specialties such as Gangwon-do Hanwoo beef, eco-friendly rice from Gochang-gun, and cheese from Imsil-gun are also prepared. Since the direct market products have no middle distribution stages, they can be purchased 5-20% cheaper than market prices.

Additionally, to ensure consumers can purchase with confidence, all products have labels indicating their origin and producer information. Purchases can also be made conveniently using credit cards and Onnuri gift certificates.

The district office actively promotes various urban-rural exchange cooperation projects that benefit both consumers and producers in farming and fishing villages during major seasonal events, such as opening the "Direct Market" during holidays when agricultural and specialty product consumption increases, and operating the "Salted Shrimp Market" during kimchi-making season.

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "We opened the direct market again this year to contribute to the economic revitalization of sister city farms and to help residents have a bountiful Lunar New Year," adding, "We hope everyone enjoys a prosperous Seol holiday with specialty products from all over the country."