Jongno-gu 'Sejongmaeul Food Culture Street' Selected as Specialized Market by Ministry of SMEs and Startups

A Project Focused on Developing Unique Local Market Features and Strengths by Linking Regional Culture and Tourism Resources... Receiving About 1 Billion KRW in Funding to Drive Various Development Initiatives in the Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) Sejong Village Food Culture Street has achieved the great honor of being finally selected as the target site for the 'Cultural Tourism Market Specialized Market Development Project' in the '2021 Traditional Market Revitalization Contest' hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The Cultural Tourism Market Development Project involves linking local culture and tourism resources to focus on fostering the unique characteristics and strengths of the market.

Through this selection, the district will receive up to approximately 1 billion KRW in project funds over two years and will be able to promote various projects to lead the development of Sejong Village Food Culture Street.

The project period is from January 2021 to December 2022, and it plans to implement merchant-centered projects and various initiatives focusing on four areas: ▲Smart Shopping District ▲Strengthening Promotion and Marketing ▲Expansion of Infrastructure ▲Enhancement of Self-sustainability.

First, to improve customer convenience, a delivery service will be established, and a ‘Smart Shopping District’ project utilizing media boards and kiosks will be carried out. For the promotion and marketing of Sejong Village Food Culture Street, a separate SNS account will be operated, and an online grievance box aimed at smooth communication with customers will also be opened.

To expand ‘infrastructure,’ events such as creating a smart shopping district street and photo zones, and a shopping district cleanliness day will be held. Plans for ‘enhancing self-sustainability’ include operating merchant and resident clubs, developing joint packaging materials and a joint brand, and conducting specialized education.

Moreover, by linking with the rich historical and cultural tourism resources in the area, a market tour course will be developed, and leveraging the historical significance of Sejong Village, the birthplace of King Sejong, a symbolic street called ‘Sejong 600-year Road’ will be created.

Additionally, the project will steadily promote the cultivation of cultural content where tradition and modernity coexist, the development of market representative products, and support for pioneering sales channels for specialized products.

Meanwhile, Sejong Village Food Culture Street was selected as a target site for the Alley-type Market Development Project in 2015, and from April 2015 to July 2016, lighting environments were improved, and design and ICT specialized support projects, as well as shopping district specialized education, were conducted.

This year, by being selected for the Cultural Tourism Specialized Market Development Project, Sejong Village Food Culture Street has been recognized for its development potential and succeeded in securing project funds, enabling it to take a step forward as a representative market of Korea loved by numerous tourists and residents visiting the Jongno area.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “We will promote substantial projects to foster this area so that Sejong Village Food Culture Street can develop into a market leading Korea’s cultural tourism.”