Songpa-gu Launches Full-Scale Campaign to Revitalize Traditional Markets for Chuseok

Leading Traditional Market Revitalization to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis...Rich Chuseok Events with Discounts and Prize Draws Until September 29...Distribution of 25,000 Masks, Disinfection, and Fire Inspections

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa District (right), visited Saemaeul Market on the 18th and is purchasing jeon.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) will hold various events and discount promotions along with thorough quarantine measures to revitalize the traditional market economy, which has been depressed due to COVID-19, in celebration of Chuseok.

This event was planned as a way to stimulate consumption activities of local residents and restore consumer sentiment during the nation’s biggest holiday, encouraging residents’ participation and spending to provide practical support to the sales of traditional markets.

First, a special event offering discounts and prize giveaways will be held until September 29 to revitalize traditional markets for the holiday season.

The participating markets are ▲Macheon Market, ▲Pungnap Market, ▲Seokchon Market, and ▲Munjeong-dong Rodeo Shopping Street.

Each market will hold events such as ▲discount sales on ritual supplies, ▲Onnuri gift certificate giveaways for customers who purchase over a certain amount, ▲eco bag giveaways, and ▲mask giveaways for customers who spend over 20,000 KRW. Munjeong-dong Rodeo Shopping Street will also hold special discount sales ranging from 30% to 80% as part of the Chuseok special events.

Additionally, Songpa-gu Mayor Park Seong-su visited Saemaeul Market (September 18) and Macheon Central Market and Seokchon Market (September 24) to personally purchase ritual supplies and food for Chuseok, encouraging merchants who are facing difficulties.

Along with this, special quarantine measures for traditional markets in preparation for Chuseok are being implemented. The district distributed 25,000 masks to traditional markets, had professional disinfection companies conduct sanitation, and assigned quarantine personnel at each market. Markets are also conducting their own disinfection regularly using disinfection equipment supported by the district.

Furthermore, fire safety inspections were conducted at seven traditional markets and shopping streets. The district strengthened internal safety to create a pleasant and safe shopping environment.

In addition, to increase income for market merchants and small business owners struggling due to COVID-19 and to ease the burden on consumers, Songpa Love Gift Certificates worth 8 billion KRW were additionally issued. The gift certificates can be purchased at a 7% discount within a monthly limit of 700,000 KRW per person.

Songpa-gu Mayor Park Seong-su said, “This event will help traditional market merchants who are experiencing greater difficulties than ever before,” and added, “We will continue efforts to stimulate sluggish consumption and revitalize traditional markets, taking the lead in saving neighborhood commercial districts.”