All Seoul Jung-gu Office Employees Unite to Revitalize Alleyway Commercial District's 'Gi (Energy)'

Seoyangho, Jung-gu Mayor, Leads Revitalization of Local Markets by Dining and Shopping at Traditional Markets... Installation of Clean Zone Banners After Disinfection, Promotion of 'Neighborhood Market Day'

Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, visiting Yaksu Market and purchasing goods

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] All employees of Jung-gu Office in Seoul rolled up their sleeves to revive frozen consumer sentiment and revitalize neighborhood commercial districts.

First, Seo Yang-ho, the mayor of Jung-gu, cut the tape. Mayor Seo visited Hwanghak-dong Central Market, Myeongdong restaurant district, Baekhak Market in Sindang 5-dong, Jungbu Market, and Yaksu Market in Yaksu-dong in sequence, having lunch with community center staff and shopping together to boost the 'energy of neighborhood commercial districts.'

On the afternoon of the 17th, Mayor Seo, who visited Yaksu Market, purchased rice cakes and sesame oil at a rice cake mill in the market using Seoul Jung-gu Love Gift Certificates. He stopped by each store to buy a large amount of hairtail fish, gangjeong (sweet crispy rice snacks), carp-shaped bread, and roasted chestnuts, which he gifted to the Yaksu-dong community center staff who had worked hard on snow removal since dawn. At a fruit store, he bought a box of Hallabong oranges and sent it to the health center staff who were working on emergency COVID-19 duty. The mayor took the lead in shopping with employees to inform residents that using traditional markets is safe and to support local merchants.

Along with Mayor Seo’s efforts, the district is devising various measures to revitalize neighborhood commercial districts.

Markets that have undergone disinfection will have 'Clean Zone Banners' installed to instill the perception among visitors that traditional markets are safe places. Plans are also underway to promote customer participation sales events and various promotions to overcome COVID-19.

Rapid execution of the first half-year budget for revitalizing the local economy will also be pursued. By prioritizing the execution of consumption budgets such as purchasing goods and promptly paying construction fees, the district plans to spend 45 billion won by the end of March to focus on economic recovery.

District employees are also contributing their efforts. They have designated 'Neighborhood Market Days' to purchase necessary items for their departments at local traditional markets and shop there. They also visit nearby traditional markets during lunch hours for meals and use them as venues for gatherings.

Additionally, to support local merchants, the district has started purchasing a certain amount of Seoul Jung-gu Love and Traditional Market Gift Certificates. If all employees participate, 285.7 million won in benefits will return to the local commercial districts.

Moreover, to revitalize neighborhood commercial districts, the district will temporarily increase the closure of the in-house cafeteria from once a month to once a week starting next week. The cafeteria, which was closed on the last Friday of every month, will not operate every Friday for the time being except for the first week of March. By guiding the approximately 950 daily cafeteria users to nearby restaurants, the district aims to help revive the depressed local commercial districts.

Furthermore, emphasizing a return to normal life, the district resumed normal operation of programs at elementary after-school care facilities, welfare centers, sports facilities, and community centers from the 17th, except for some programs. However, the system of unifying entrances, greeting visitors at the information desk, guiding hand sanitization, checking body temperature, and monitoring will remain in place. While daily life returns to normal, COVID-19 related responses will not be relaxed.

Seo Yang-ho, mayor of Jung-gu, said, "All the commercial districts facing difficulties, such as Myeongdong, Namdaemun, Namsan, Euljiro, Chungmuro, and Dongdaemun Fashion Town, are located in Jung-gu. The district will not stop disinfection, maintaining communication and monitoring systems, and practicing preventive measures until it is safe from COVID-19," adding, "We ask Jung-gu residents and the public to participate in the recovery of the local economy."