Seocho-gu Opens 'Chuseok Direct Transaction Market' for the First Time in 3 Years

[Seoul District News] Seocho-gu to Reopen Direct Market at Noon on 31st with Fusion Gugak Performance and Classical Music for Residents' Cultural Enjoyment... Geumcheon-gu to Operate Sister City Agricultural and Marine Products Direct Market at District Office Plaza on Sept 6 from 10 AM to 5 PM... Gangbuk-gu to Run 'Comprehensive Price Countermeasures Situation Room' to Monitor Holiday Product Prices and Unfair Trade Practices

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The ‘Seocho Market Day,’ which had been suspended due to COVID-19, has returned as the ‘Seocho Direct Transaction Grand Market’ after more than three years.

Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced that from August 31 to September 2, it will hold the ‘Chuseok Seocho Direct Transaction Grand Market’ at the district office plaza and nearby Music Walk to ease the burden on residents preparing for the Chuseok holiday amid rising prices.

Since its inception in 2003, the ‘Seocho Direct Transaction Grand Market,’ held monthly, has provided sales opportunities for farms in sister cities and allowed residents to purchase excellent local specialties at affordable prices, gaining great popularity among both farmers and residents.

This year, the district has expanded participation to include a total of 22 organizations and 49 farms. In addition to the existing sister cities, local agricultural cooperatives such as Nam Seoul Nonghyup and Yeongdong Nonghyup, as well as the district’s first alley-type shopping street, ‘Maljukgeori Shopping Street,’ are also participating.

Main items include ▲Pyo-go mushrooms from Gangneung City ▲Mosip leaf salted seafood from Seocheon County ▲Apples from Yesan County ▲Korean beef and pork from Cheongyang County ▲Chili peppers from Taean County ▲Honey from Namwon City ▲Fish from Uljin County ▲Garlic from Uiseong County, and other fresh local specialties ▲New barley and sesame from Nam Seoul Nonghyup ▲Apples and steamed corn from Yeongdong Nonghyup ▲Rice cakes, fermented skate, and fresh produce from Maljukgeori Shopping Street, totaling about 200 items for sale.

Additionally, to commemorate the reopening of the market, a fusion Korean traditional music performance will be held at noon on the 31st in the district office lobby as part of the ‘Visiting Flower Seat Concert.’ Classical music will also be played throughout the Music Walk, providing residents visiting the market with opportunities to enjoy culture in their daily lives.

The market will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The district plans to hold the ‘Direct Transaction Grand Market’ twice a month starting from the end of September this year.

Seocho-gu Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “We hope this direct transaction grand market will revitalize struggling farms and the local economy and help stabilize prices for residents’ shopping baskets.”

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) will hold a sister city agricultural and marine specialty direct transaction market at the district office plaza on September 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in celebration of Chuseok.

Since the spread of COVID-19, Geumcheon-gu has operated holiday direct transaction markets online starting from Chuseok 2020, but this year’s Chuseok direct transaction market will be held offline for the first time in about two years in line with the recovery of daily life.

The direct transaction market is designed to directly introduce agricultural and marine specialties from sister cities to residents, supporting the sales channels of farms facing difficulties and helping residents prepare for Chuseok with excellent specialties.

At the market, 39 items including gim bugak (seaweed chips), corn, red pepper powder, perilla oil, dried bracken, and steamed buns from Geumcheon-gu’s sister cities?Goheung County, Namhae County, Cheongyang County, and Hoengseong County?will be sold at prices 10-30% lower than market prices.

Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon said, “At this direct transaction market, you can find excellent agricultural and marine specialties from Geumcheon-gu’s sister cities at affordable prices,” adding, “We will continue to discover content for mutual development through exchanges with sister cities, not only through direct transaction markets.”

Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) is implementing the ‘2022 Chuseok Holiday Price Stabilization Management Plan.’

The district has designated the period until September 12 as the Chuseok holiday price stabilization period. During this time, it plans to establish and implement seven measures across three areas: ▲focused management of Chuseok price items ▲establishment of fair trade ▲revitalization of the local economy. To this end, a ‘Comprehensive Price Countermeasure Situation Room’ led by the head of the Job and Economy Division will be operated.

First, 30 items including rice and apples have been selected as key management items, and inspections will be conducted on excessive price increases, collusion, compliance with price labeling, and origin labeling.

Inspections will also be carried out on retail stores and large-scale stores regarding compliance with price labeling and origin labeling of agricultural and marine products. For livestock product handlers, checks will be made on compliance with the livestock traceability system, expiration date adherence, and personal hygiene of handlers.

The district plans to focus on guidance and publicity during inspections and will take administrative actions such as fines for habitual violations.

To revitalize the local economy, Gangbuk-gu will issue Gangbuk Love Gift Certificates worth 14.6 billion KRW on September 1. Individuals can purchase up to 700,000 KRW per month at a 10% discount, and the certificates can be used at Seoul Pay affiliated stores within Gangbuk-gu.

Additionally, from September 1, a Chuseok direct transaction market selling high-quality agricultural and specialty products at affordable prices will be held for two days at the district office plaza.

Furthermore, five traditional markets in the area, including Suyu Traditional Market, will hold Chuseok holiday events. From August 29 to September 7, customers who purchase over a certain amount will receive various prizes such as Onnuri gift certificates. For more details, contact the Gangbuk-gu Job and Economy Division.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Lee Soon-hee said, “The economic burden felt by residents is increasing daily due to rising prices,” adding, “We will do our best to actively support various activities to stabilize holiday prices so that all residents can have a prosperous Chuseok holiday.”