Seongbuk-gu All Staff Lead Efforts to Save Traditional Markets Facing COVID Crisis

Departmental day-off system, 'Restaurant Use Day' operation with full staff participation, minimizing market sales gaps... Employees discover 'Matjip' in the market and promote it by word of mouth to residents

Seungro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, is having lunch with employees at a traditional market.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) employees are taking the lead in revitalizing traditional markets hit hard by COVID-19, earning praise from local merchants.

Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, residents have become more cautious about nearby traditional markets, including Jangwi-dong, causing difficulties in market recovery. In response, all employees are making efforts to help the markets recover.

As a support measure, the district operates a "Local Restaurant Use Day" on a department-by-day basis. Specific days are assigned for dining at restaurants within nearby markets, ensuring no overlap in locations to avoid gaps in market sales.

Additionally, with the implementation of social distancing level 2.5, employees actively use takeout and delivery services. When visiting the market, they disperse in small groups for movement and dining. To ease the burden on merchants, card payments are also processed via Zero Pay.

The employees’ market visits do not end with just meals. ‘Hidden gem’ restaurants discovered within the market spread by word of mouth among employees and are expected to attract more customers as residents become aware.

Mr. Hong (55), who runs a restaurant near the district office market, said, “It’s inconvenient, but I’m thankful they come to pick up food every time. Now, I prepare ingredients early and wait in anticipation of lunchtime,” and added, “Since the district office started supporting us like this, many people have been calling to order takeout meals.”

Seongbuk-gu employees resolving their lunch from 12 PM to 1 PM by takeout or delivery at traditional markets is not a simple task. It takes considerable time to travel to the market, and orders must be placed earlier than usual. Nevertheless, employees are actively participating to help restore the market economy.

Recently, due to the increase in COVID-19 cases originating from Sarang Jeil Church in Jangwi-dong, the local commercial district has suffered severe stagnation. Market visitors have decreased by about half compared to the first half of the year, earning the market the nickname “ghost town.” Sales have dropped by 40% to as much as 80%, making recovery difficult. Merchants plan to file a group civil lawsuit against the church to hold it accountable for the damages. Considering this situation, the district has directly engaged in restoring the local commercial area.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro of Seongbuk-gu also visits traditional markets with employees during lunch on days without special schedules. The mayor said, “I understand that caution toward traditional markets has increased due to COVID-19, but it is very upsetting to see empty restaurants because it reflects the merchants’ hardships. I hope our employees’ market use will serve as a catalyst to revitalize market activity and allow us to see busy merchants again before the holidays.”

He added, “Markets in Seongbuk-gu conduct disinfection at designated times daily, and visitors are strictly requested to follow personal hygiene measures such as temperature checks, hand sanitizing, and mask-wearing. Many stores have recently introduced delivery services, enabling contactless purchases, so residents can use them with confidence. Seongbuk-gu will continue to prepare various measures and provide policy and administrative support to help traditional markets recover.”