"No Rip-offs, There Is a Children's Menu" Baek Jong-won Reopens Yesan Market

Reopening on April 1 After One Month of Renovation

Yesan Market in Chungnam will reopen on April 1 after a month of renovations. It is expected that convenience for visitors will be greatly enhanced by increasing the number of restrooms and introducing a children's menu.

According to Yesan County on the 31st, Yesan Market will reopen on April 1. Floor work, restroom remodeling, and inspection of drainage and sound facilities within the market have been completed. The most frequently raised issue among visitors, the "long lines," has also been addressed. A ticket number system has been introduced so that customers can enter the stores when their turn comes without having to stand in long lines. An AED (automated external defibrillator) was sponsored and installed to prepare for accidents caused by crowds.

Yesan Market will reopen on April 1 after about a month of financial reorganization. [Image source=Yesan-gun]

In addition to the five stores planned by CEO Baek, 16 new stores will open. The new stores will sell items such as muk (acorn jelly), udon, dumplings, jeon (Korean pancakes), fried foods, and grilled hairtail fish. To complement the existing adult-oriented menus like pork belly and grilled chicken, a variety of snack menus for children have also been prepared.

A signboard announcing the "Reopening on April 1" has been posted in front of Yesan Market. The signboard features a photo of CEO Baek along with phrases such as "Why did you come? I clearly said April 1, didn’t I?" and "Not today. Currently under renovation."

CEO Baek said, "This reopening should be seen as an after-service to improve the existing inconveniences and pointed-out issues," adding, "Although many people will gather now, over time the crowd can disappear quickly, so continuous consultation and communication are very important." He also urged the market officials, saying, "Only by participating with efforts to prosper together, not just for individual gain, can our Yesan Market become a long-lasting national attraction."

Representative Baek announced that the market will be closed until March 31st for budget market reorganization last month.
[Image source=Captured from Baek Jong-won YouTube]

Previously, Yesan Market gained tremendous popularity, surpassing 100,000 cumulative visitors within just one month of opening. However, problems such as excessively long lines at each store and inadequate restroom management were pointed out. Complaints also arose about inflated lodging fees.

In response, CEO Baek apologized on the 27th of last month for the various issues and announced that the market would be temporarily closed until that day. He held a meeting at the county office with representatives of lodging facilities, restaurants, and gukbap (rice soup) shops around Yesan Market, advising, "We need to create a new image for Yesan and attract more tourists by putting aside personal greed and working together with a shared purpose."