Seocho-gu to hold ‘Seolnal Direct Transaction Grand Market’ for two days from the 12th to 13th at the district office plaza and Music Walkway
Over 200 items ranging from agricultural specialties to Seolnal seasonal products sold at affordable prices
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] # I have been using the Seocho direct transaction market for 15 years. Especially during holidays, I buy affordable and high-quality specialties here to place on the ancestral rite table. I’m glad the Seolnal market is opening again after a long time; I look forward to enjoying the shopping experience. (Park Kyung-mi, Jamwon-dong, 60)
Seocho-gu welcomes visitors by opening the Seolnal market for the first time in three years.
Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will hold the ‘Seolcho Seolnal Direct Transaction Grand Market’ for two days from the 12th to 13th at the district office plaza and nearby Music Walkway.
The district prepared this market to ease the shopping burden of residents preparing for the Seolnal holiday amid rising prices. By reducing distribution stages, it offers local specialties that are not only cheaper than market prices but also of excellent quality.
This market features participation from over 20 sister city organizations and more than 50 farms, selling over 200 items including rice cake soup rice cakes, yellow croaker, traditional Korean sweets (hangwa), apples, honey, salted seafood, mushrooms, and other excellent local specialties for Seolnal ancestral rites.
Main items for sale include ▲Mosip leaf salted seafood and rice cakes from Seocheon-gun ▲Hangwa and apples from Yesan-gun ▲Korean beef and pork from Cheongyang-gun ▲Dangjin bugak (fried seaweed snack) ▲Squid and anchovies from Uljin-gun ▲Gwamegi (half-dried herring) and yellow croaker from Pohang-si ▲Garlic from Uiseong-gun ▲Honey from Sancheong-gun, fresh local specialties ▲Seoktanju (coal liquor) and Jajak Makgeolli from Hoengseong-gun ▲Kimchi varieties from Goesan-gun ▲Gangjeong (traditional sweets) and grains from Nam Seoul Nonghyup ▲Food products and eggs from Yeongdong Nonghyup ▲Fruits and rice cakes from Maljukgeori Shopping Street.
Additionally, various food stalls are set up at one corner of the market. Two food trucks operated by preliminary social enterprises sell coffee booths, walnut pastries, and snack foods, creating a warm market atmosphere.
Since 2003, the ‘Seocho Direct Transaction Grand Market’ held regularly every month has provided sales opportunities for farms in sister cities and allowed residents to purchase excellent local specialties at affordable prices, receiving great responses from both farmers and residents.
After being suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19, the direct transaction grand market resumed last August and now includes participation not only from sister cities but also local agricultural cooperatives such as Nam Seoul Nonghyup and Yeongdong Nonghyup, as well as the first alley-type shopping district ‘Maljukgeori Shopping Street’.
The market operates from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Going forward, the district plans to operate the ‘Seocho Direct Transaction Grand Market’ twice a month, excluding extreme cold or heat seasons.
Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “I hope this Seolnal direct transaction grand market helps residents prepare well for the upcoming Seolnal holiday. We will continue to revitalize the struggling farms and local economy and promote a win-win market between urban and rural areas.”
Guro-gu to hold Seolnal Hanmadang Market on the 18th and 19th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the district office plaza
Guro-gu (Mayor Moon Heon-il) will hold the Seolnal Guro Hanmadang Market.
On the 11th, Guro-gu announced, “The direct transaction market was prepared to provide residents with local specialties and holiday seasonal products at affordable prices and to help farmers increase income by expanding sales channels.”
The market will be held for two days on the 18th and 19th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the district office plaza.
Thirty-three farms from 21 local governments, including sister cities Chungbuk Goesan-gun, Danyang-gun, Gyeongbuk Yecheon-gun, Jeonbuk Namwon-si, and Jeonnam Gurye-gun, will participate, selling about 50 items such as Korean beef, traditional sweets (hangwa), apples, dried persimmons, wild greens, and grains at affordable prices.
A Guro-gu official said, “We expect to enjoy a lively holiday atmosphere by holding the event face-to-face for the first time in over three years after conducting it online. We ask many residents to visit.”
Meanwhile, Guro-gu is preparing special maintenance for street vendors and roadside storage in anticipation of increased crowds at traditional markets. Also, on the 17th and 18th, Mayor Moon Heon-il will visit traditional markets to encourage merchants and shop together with staff.
Jongno-gu to sell excellent agricultural and marine specialties from sister cities at Cheongjin Park on the 12th and 13th
Jongno-gu (Mayor Jeong Moon-heon) will operate the ‘2023 Seolnal Sister City Direct Transaction Market’ at Cheongjin Park (146-3 Cheongjin-dong) plaza from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 12th and 13th.
This event, held ahead of the great national holiday, is based on participation from local governments with sister city agreements with Jongno-gu, selling high-quality regional agricultural and marine specialties.
It is meaningful as it supports farmers in sister cities and allows passing citizens to purchase various Seolnal items at prices lower than market rates.
Participating cities include ▲Geochang-gun ▲Naju-si ▲Andong-si ▲Yeoju-si ▲Yeongwol-gun ▲Jeongeup-si, totaling six locations.
Items for sale include representative products from each city such as apples, sesame oil, flower tea, soybean paste, bokbunja wine (Korean black raspberry wine), and rice.
Additionally, from the 9th to the 13th of this month, Jongno-gu will conduct a ‘Seolnal Donation Sharing Event’ to share neighborly love.
This event was prepared to provide food and daily necessities to low-income residents suffering from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. In cooperation with the local community security council, it aims to spread a culture of donation and sharing led by residents and create a warm village community.
Donatable items include long-lasting canned foods, canned beverages, rice, and various daily necessities such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, detergent, and tissue paper.
Considering the COVID-19 situation, masks and hand sanitizers are also accepted. However, fresh foods that may spoil at room temperature, medicines, and functional foods are excluded.
Anyone wishing to participate can place items in donation boxes installed at the district office’s Welfare Policy Division or nearby community service centers. Collected items will be distributed evenly to elderly living alone, disabled persons, and multicultural families through the Jongno-gu Food Bank and Market Center on the 16th.
Mayor Jeong Moon-heon said, “I hope this direct transaction market supports farmers in sister cities and allows local residents to purchase Seolnal ritual items at affordable prices to enjoy a warm holiday. We will pay close attention to ensuring that all residents, including the underprivileged, have a joyful and happy Seolnal holiday.”
Songpa-gu to operate direct transaction market for two days on the 12th and 13th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., selling 10-20% cheaper than market prices
▲Danyang-gun ▲Gongju-si ▲Yeoju-si ▲Andong-si ▲Gochang-gun ▲Hadong-gun sister cities participating
Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) will operate the ‘2023 Seolnal Agricultural, Marine, and Livestock Products Direct Transaction Market’ on the sidewalk in front of the district office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 12th and 13th ahead of the Seolnal holiday.
This market was prepared to contribute to price stabilization by supplying residents with excellent agricultural, marine, and livestock products at affordable prices and to promote win-win development between urban and rural areas by supporting local producers’ sales channels.
Fifteen local governments participate, including six sister cities with Songpa-gu: ▲Danyang-gun ▲Gongju-si ▲Yeoju-si ▲Andong-si ▲Gochang-gun ▲Hadong-gun, as well as other regions producing excellent agricultural, marine, and livestock products: ▲Gangneung-si ▲Goesan-gun ▲Naju-si ▲Yecheon-gun ▲Wando-gun ▲Inje-gun ▲Jangseong-gun ▲Cheongyang-gun ▲Hampyeong-gun.
They plan to sell about 250 varieties of local specialties such as salted seafood, meat, cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste), soy sauce, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), gochujang (red chili paste), peanuts, anchovies, sweet potatoes, corn, bracken, and acacia honey at prices 10-20% lower than market prices, including ritual items, gift sets, side dishes, and snacks.
The district prepared the market more thoroughly as there was much interest and inquiries from residents due to the market not being held for two years because of COVID-19. In particular, for consumer convenience, they coordinated in advance to allow card payments and Onnuri gift certificates at participating organizations.
Meanwhile, during the market operation period, the district office parking lot is expected to be very limited and congested for vehicle use, so visitors are asked to use nearby parking lots such as Jamsil Station public parking lot.
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “I hope residents prepare a rich and fulfilling Seolnal holiday with various high-quality agricultural, marine, and livestock products from different regions. We will continue to expand regional cooperation by operating direct transaction markets to realize urban-rural win-win development.”
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