What’s the Story Behind Seung-ro Lee, Seongbuk-gu Mayor, Visiting Traditional Markets Before Lunar New Year and Receiving Applause for Posting Price Tags?

Seungro Lee, Seongbuk-gu Mayor, Visits Traditional Markets Before Holidays to Support Merchants... Comparing Prices of Mart and Traditional Market Signature Products Amid Reports of 'Fear of Shopping'... Sharing Smart Shopping Tips Using Seongbuk Love Gift Certificates and Market Events via SNS... Merchants Give Thumbs Up Saying "The Mayor's Attention Gives Us Some Relief"

Seung-ro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, visiting a traditional market five days ago to support merchants

Seungro Lee, Mayor of Seongbuk District, personally visited traditional markets to survey products and prices of large marts and posted the table on his personal SNS on the 5th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Merchants are giving thumbs up to Lee Seung-ro, the mayor of Seongbuk-gu, who has taken it upon himself to be the ambassador for Seongbuk-gu’s traditional markets.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro prioritized visiting six traditional markets within the district and actively supported the market merchants.

When a merchant at the market asked for help to attract more customers, he informed them on the 3rd about the issuance of 18 billion KRW worth of Seongbuk Love Gift Certificates and encouraged them by saying, "As more residents are expected to visit to shop economically just before the holidays, let’s keep up the effort."

He also used his personal SNS to announce an event where customers who spend over 30,000 KRW at any traditional market in Seongbuk-gu will receive a 5,000 KRW Onnuri Gift Certificate, and provided information that online delivery is available through Coupang Eats and the Naver Traditional Market app.

The mayor’s support did not stop there. On the 5th, after multiple media outlets reported citizens’ concerns about rising prices?such as 7,490 KRW for one bunch of green onions, 3,290 KRW for zucchini, 18,500 KRW for a pack of pears, and 16,000 KRW for a pack of apples?he personally visited the markets that day to verify and compare the prices of the same products and published a comparison chart.

He toured Jeongneung Market, Jeongneung Arirang Market, Jangwi Traditional Market, and Dolgoji Market to directly investigate the prices of vegetables and fruits mentioned in the articles, focusing on “good quality items suitable for holiday tables,” and created a price chart.

Mayor Lee also shared a useful tip that by using the Seongbuk Love Gift Certificates, customers can save 10%, and by additionally using the 5,000 KRW Onnuri Gift Certificate when purchasing over 30,000 KRW at traditional markets, they can effectively buy at about 50% less.

Responses on the mayor’s SNS included comments such as, “I was worried about rising prices ahead of the Lunar New Year, but thanks to the helpful tips released by the Seongbuk-gu Office, I was able to shop cheaply,” “I will prepare for this Lunar New Year at traditional markets,” and “It’s great to see the mayor personally comparing market prices and informing residents.”

Market merchants also gave thumbs up. “At first, when the mayor asked about vegetable and fruit prices, we thought it was just a customary greeting,” they said. “We prepared events for customers visiting the market before the holidays and paid special attention to quarantine measures, but the atmosphere was still quiet, which was concerning. The mayor’s direct efforts to promote traditional markets with various ideas and publicity have been very reassuring.”

Mayor Lee Seung-ro of Seongbuk-gu stated, “I will never forget how traditional market merchants, who suffered greatly from COVID-19, actively cooperated with quarantine measures and even took the initiative to disinfect markets and alleys. As the mayor responsible for the safety and daily lives of 450,000 Seongbuk residents, it is natural and I will continue to work hard to revitalize traditional markets and ease residents’ concerns about prices.”

The traditional markets participating in the Seongbuk-gu event are Gireum Market, Donam Market, Dolgoji Market, Jangwi Traditional Market, Jeongneung Market, and Jeongneung Arirang Market, with the event running until the 5th.

Since the event periods and benefits vary slightly by market, specific details can be confirmed through the respective markets or the Job and Economy Division of Seongbuk-gu Office.

Mayor Lee also said, “Although many people are going through difficult times due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, I hope residents take this opportunity to purchase quality products economically at traditional markets. Additionally, to revitalize traditional markets and enhance competitiveness, the district office is actively supporting non-face-to-face online delivery services, so please make good use of them.”