Kim Won-i, Preliminary Candidate, Appeals to Revive Local Businesses Amid COVID-19 Impact

Supporters and Participants of 'Traditional Market Shopping Day' on the 19th

Candidate Kim Won-i designated the 19th as "Traditional Market Shopping Day" and visited Sincheongho Market for one hour. (Photo by Candidate Kim Won-i's Office)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Kim Won-i, a preliminary candidate for the National Assembly representing Mokpo City from the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that he has joined efforts to revitalize the local economy by saving the neighborhood commercial districts and self-employed businesses, which have been stagnated due to the impact of COVID-19.

On the 19th, Candidate Kim designated the day as "Traditional Market Shopping Day" and visited Sincheongho Market from 10:30 a.m. for one hour along with about 20 supporters, including his spouse Jo Jeong-hee.

At Saemaeul Geumgo inside Cheongho Market, Candidate Kim purchased Onnuri gift certificates and Mokpo Love gift certificates, greeted merchants while touring the stores, and listened to the complaints and opinions of market merchants who have been struggling due to the COVID-19 downturn.

A fried food shop owner in Cheongho Market, who met Candidate Kim, lamented, "I have been running a fried food business for 12 years, but this year has been the hardest."

A restaurant owner said, "When politicians come, they usually just greet us hurriedly and leave, but Candidate Kim comforted the merchants who are discouraged by the commercial district's downturn and bought market goods together with supporters, which we really appreciate."

In response, Candidate Kim said, "As I go around, I deeply feel the contraction of the local economy due to COVID-19," adding, "It is even embarrassing to greet people with a smile."

On that day, Candidate Kim and about 20 supporters participated in revitalizing the neighborhood commercial districts by purchasing gimtae (edible seaweed), rice cakes, fried food, chicken, and jokbal (pig's trotters) using Mokpo Love gift certificates.

Candidate Kim's camp stated that all future election campaign schedules will focus on revitalizing the local economy, which has been stagnated due to the impact of the novel coronavirus.

Candidate Kim said, "A special measure for the people's livelihood economy is urgently needed," and added, "We must actively expand the management system, which has been focused only on infection prevention, and form a special task force for the local economy."

He continued, "The impact of the novel coronavirus seems likely to last longer," appealing, "Please participate in revitalizing the local economy by using neighborhood restaurants and shopping at traditional markets so that the local economy, including neighborhood commercial districts, does not suffer greater damage."