[Report] "It's like they're telling us to die" Heavy rain and COVID-19... Namdaemun Merchants in Distress

COVID-19 Cluster Infection Originating from Goyang Banseok Church
8 Confirmed Cases at Kennedy Arcade, Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market Visited on the Afternoon of the 10th...Sparse and Quiet Crowd
Merchants Complain, "Business Is Down and We're Anxious Due to Confirmed Cases"

On the afternoon of the 10th, the streets of Namdaemun Market in Seoul. Merchants collectively expressed that their sales have been significantly impacted due to the occurrence of COVID-19 cases combined with the rainy season.
Photo by Seulgi Kim, Intern Reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] "Literally, I feel like I'm dying. Torrential rain and then COVID-19?what is going on?"

As record-breaking heavy rain continues, causing increasing human and material damage nationwide, according to Seoul City and Jung-gu, eight merchants at the 'Kennedy' shopping arcade in the market here have been confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 one after another. Because of this, merchants are voicing complaints that it’s a case of adding insult to injury.

On the afternoon of the 10th, the Namdaemun Market visited by reporters was truly quiet. Unlike usual, bustling with customers and tourists, there were very few people and hardly anyone passing by. Most shops in the market were closed every other store, and even those that were open had no customers, leaving the market alleys effectively in a state of temporary closure.

Merchants unanimously lamented that their sales have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and the continuous heavy rain. Merchant A (28), who runs a clothing and accessories store in the market, said, "Sales have dropped by more than a third due to COVID-19 and the rainy season combined. You can say that the number of passing customers has decreased by more than half," showing a distressed expression.

A said, "Sales were already down due to the rainy season and vacation period overlapping, but having a COVID-19 confirmed case nearby has hit sales hard. Even today, customers who come ask me where the confirmed case was, and they worry about me, telling me to be careful about COVID-19," he said.

In Seoul's Namdaemun Market Kennedy Arcade, where eight merchants tested positive for COVID-19, a barricade was placed in front of the Kennedy Arcade on the 10th. There was no sign of passing foot traffic near the arcade.
Photo by Seulgi Kim, Intern Reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

In front of the 'Kennedy' shopping arcade where COVID-19 cases occurred, a barrier blocking entry was placed. Shops right next to the arcade were closed. When asked by reporters if they were on vacation, one merchant said weakly, "Vacation? No vacation. The place closed because COVID-19 broke out here."

Merchants in shops opposite the Kennedy arcade opened their stores and started business but showed signs of anxiety. Merchant B (68), who runs a clothing and accessories store opposite the arcade, said, "In my 30 years of business experience, this is the first time I've seen such a recession. Literally, I feel like I'm dying. There are no customers, and business is completely dead," he complained.

B said, "Sales dropped sharply after COVID-19 broke out in spring, then seemed to improve gradually, but then the heavy rain and rainy season hit. On top of that, a COVID-19 confirmed case appeared right in front of us. I’m anxious, but business is so bad I feel like I’m dying. What should I do? Please save us," he lamented.

Merchant C (71), who runs an accessories store nearby, said, "You can say the commercial district around here is all dead. Even before COVID-19, the commercial district was dead, but after COVID-19 broke out, it’s completely wiped out. Look around. Are there any customers?" he pointed out.

He added, "Not even an ant passes through the market. The economy needs to improve quickly, but there’s no sign of improvement, and now there’s a confirmed case right in front of us... I’m really anxious to death," he said.

Some merchants were preparing to close their shops and go home. Merchant D (52) said, "Is sales the problem now? I’m too anxious to do business. The district office says to operate voluntarily, but I’m so anxious that I plan to close early and go home," expressing his anxiety.

A merchant from Namdaemun Market is receiving precautions from medical staff at a screening clinic installed in front of Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seulgi Kim, intern reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

Perhaps due to anxiety over the confirmed cases, market merchants returning after COVID-19 tests could be seen at the temporary screening clinic set up in front of Sungnyemun in Jung-gu.

Merchant E (52) from Namdaemun Market, who had just taken a COVID-19 test at the screening clinic that day, explained, "I don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms, but I came to get tested because I’m anxious. All the merchants around here have come and gone," he said.

E said, "The district office also came today and told us to get tested... COVID-19 is one thing, but with the rainy season overlapping, sales that were already bad have been shattered. There are no customers. Since I took the COVID-19 test, I’m thinking of closing the shop and going home to rest," he said.

Another merchant F (31) also said, "I don’t have any suspicious symptoms, but I came to get tested because I’m anxious. I worry about who will look after the store if I get confirmed positive for COVID-19," he appealed.

On the afternoon of the 10th, citizens are getting tested at a temporary screening clinic set up in front of Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seulgi Kim, Intern Reporter sabiduriakim@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, according to Seoul City on the 10th, eight confirmed cases were reported as of the 9th at the Kennedy shopping arcade, a women’s clothing specialty arcade in Namdaemun Market, Jung-gu. One member of Banseok Church in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, who works in clothing sales on the first floor here, was first confirmed positive on the 6th, and seven merchants working on the same floor were subsequently infected. Since the 5th of this month, 24 people have been confirmed positive at Banseok Church.

A Seoul City infectious disease control official explained, "One Namdaemun Market merchant who attended Banseok Church in Goyang City was first confirmed positive on the 6th, and seven merchants at the Kennedy shopping arcade in Namdaemun Market, where they work, were additionally confirmed positive on the 9th. Among them, seven are confirmed cases in Seoul."

The official said, "Seoul City immediately dispatched a response team to conduct epidemiological investigations and contact tracing with the Jung-gu public health center. The shopping arcade was temporarily closed and emergency disinfection was carried out. As a preemptive measure, a nationwide safety alert text message was sent to people who visited the arcade (Exit 5 and 6 of Hoehyeon Station) from July 30 to August 8, advising them to get tested if symptoms develop," he said.