Minister Park Young-sun of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (center) held an award ceremony for contributors to the revitalization of traditional markets on the 4th at Dragon City in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and is taking a commemorative photo with the awardees. Photo by Ministry of SMEs and Startups
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The government awarded the Seoktap Industrial Medal and other honors to individuals who contributed to the revitalization of traditional markets and shopping districts such as Daegu Seongseo Waryong Market.
On the 4th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held an award ceremony at Dragon City in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, presenting a total of 88 awards including one Seoktap Industrial Medal, one Industrial Medal, 23 government awards, and 65 ministerial citations. This is the largest scale since the introduction of the awards in 2004.
The awards for contributors were given in four categories: meritorious merchants, excellent markets, supporting organizations, and employees of supporting organizations.
According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Yoon Seonju, chairman of Daegu Seongseo Waryong Market, who received the Seoktap Industrial Medal, transformed the market into a global market visited by immigrants, workers, and international students from 16 countries. When the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread widely in March this year, he led the "Good Rent Movement," enabling 91 out of 128 stores in Seongseo Waryong Market to benefit from rent reductions.
In the excellent market category, Pohang Keundonghae Market, which received the Presidential Citation, introduced a customer membership service and achieved an increase in customers and sales through various marketing activities, thereby contributing to the revitalization of traditional markets by suggesting the direction they should take.
In the supporting organizations category, Jeonju City in Jeollabuk-do was honored with the Presidential Citation. Jeonju City developed a new policy called "Youth Merchant Development" by establishing the nation's first youth mall in Jeonju Nambu Market. To protect merchants from fire damage, the city supported 70% of the subscription fee for merchants who joined the traditional market fire mutual aid insurance, leading efforts to restore vitality to traditional markets.
In the employees of supporting organizations category, Park Ji-hyun, deputy director of the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute, received the Presidential Citation. Deputy Director Park contributed to promoting the use of Onnuri Gift Certificates by planning the electronic payment system, managing individual discount purchase limits, and introducing same-day exchange and real-time sales systems.
Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said, "The Korean economy suffered a great shock due to the impact of COVID-19, and merchants faced even greater crises. However, through the Good Landlord Movement, expansion of Onnuri Gift Certificate issuance, and the Korea Together Sale campaign, merchants and the government united to overcome the crisis, and the results are showing." She added, "With the changes in daily life brought by COVID-19 and the spread of non-face-to-face transactions, traditional markets and shopping districts must embrace digitalization, such as online shopping, to maintain competitiveness."
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