Jung-gu '2024 Warm Winter Sharing Bazaar' Draws Over 2,000 Participants with Enthusiastic Energy

'2024 Hope Ondol Warm Bazaar' Held on November 22-23 with Over 2,000 Residents Visiting
Clothing, Accessories, Bakery, Household Goods Sold to Appeal to Visitors' Tastes...Proceeds Support Elderly Living Alone, Disabled, and Vulnerable Neighbors

Jung-gu District Office in Seoul (Mayor Kim Gil-seong) announced that over 2,000 residents visited the '2024 Hope Ondol Warm Winter Bazaar' held over two days on the 22nd and 23rd of last month in front of the district office, concluding successfully.

This bazaar was organized to mark the start of the ‘Hope Ondol Warm Winter Campaign’ and to actively encourage interest and participation in sharing projects. Mayor Kim Gil-seong of Jung-gu, Lee Hwa-young, Director of Hyundai City Outlet Dongdaemun Branch, Son Cheon-sik, Executive Director of E-Mart, Park Jung-seon, Executive Director of Youngone Trading, and 15 campaign ambassadors representing each neighborhood attended the event.

On the first floor of the district office main building, clothing, kitchenware, and miscellaneous goods were sold. The booths and fitting rooms were set up identically to those at Hyundai City Outlet Dongdaemun, giving visitors the feeling of being in an actual store, which greatly increased visitor satisfaction.

In front of the main gate, items donated by E-Mart, Youngone Outdoor, Comangs, FOURB, Susanna’s aprons, and the Namdaemun and Dongdaemun Merchants’ Associations were sold at affordable prices. Especially popular were trendy clothing and bakery items that perfectly matched visitors’ tastes, creating a lively atmosphere at the site.

Additionally, Taegukdang, Hotel Shilla, and Able Hyundai Hotel & Resort supported the mobile food market (providing groceries to vulnerable groups). BC Card Co., Ltd. supported the Red Food Truck, offering snacks such as fish cakes and tteokbokki to mobile food market users and volunteers. E-Mart not only donated bedding and daily necessities but also had about 70 employees roll up their sleeves to volunteer directly at the bazaar.

Furthermore, eight locations including the Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, Senior and Disability Welfare Centers, and Jung-gu Volunteer Center operated booths on the lawn plaza in front of the district office, running various programs. Hands-on activities such as making neighbor care flowerpots and Earth Love environmental products added to visitors’ enjoyment.

The proceeds from this bazaar will be meaningfully used as funds to support neighbors in need, including elderly living alone, people with disabilities, and residents of small rooms.

A resident who participated in the bazaar said, “It was great to purchase good items at affordable prices. From adorable children’s performances to various experience programs, it was a well-organized event, making it nice to bring my children. It was a rewarding and enjoyable time.”

Performance by Children at Pildong Daycare Center

The district promotes the ‘Hope Ondol Warm Winter’ project annually through public-private cooperation. It delivers warmth and practices sharing so that neighbors in need can spend a warm year-end and New Year. The Seoul Social Welfare Community Chest organizes the project, with local residents, organizations, and companies participating centered around the district office.

Mayor Kim Gil-seong of Jung-gu said, “Thanks to the unified hearts of local businesses and residents who participated as if it were their own matter, this bazaar was successfully concluded. I hope the meaningful support and sincere volunteering of those who joined this bazaar provided residents with diverse experiences, joyful memories, and an opportunity to practice sharing in the community.”