Yangcheon-gu Hosts ‘Seolnal Direct Market’ with Participation from 39 Local Governments…Same-Day ‘Free Delivery’

From sister cities like Ganghwa and Buyeo to newly added Ulleung and Pyeongchang, a record participation of 39 local governments nationwide
Purchase seasonal fruits, Korean beef, Jeju seafood, and other local specialties at reasonable prices, with 1-hour free parking tickets provided
Participating vendors voluntarily donate 5% of direct market sales revenue to support neighbors in need in the community

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that it will operate the "2024 Seolmaji Direct Transaction Market" at Yangcheon Park for two days from February 1 to 2, in celebration of Seollal, the largest traditional Korean holiday.

This market will feature a record participation of 59 farms from 39 local governments nationwide, including sister cities Ganghwa-gun, Buyeo-gun, Wando-gun, and Hwasun-gun, promising a more abundant market than ever before.

In particular, this year, six new local governments will join, including ▲Ulleung-gun, Gyeongbuk (Myeongi pickled vegetables, squid) ▲Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon (mushrooms, pine nuts, Cordyceps) ▲Danyang-gun, Chungbuk (fermented black garlic, wild greens), offering an even more diverse range of products.

At the direct transaction market, consumers can purchase high-quality local specialties and holiday ritual items such as seasonal fruits, Korean beef, seafood, sesame oil, and traditional Korean sweets at reasonable prices on-site.

To enhance customer satisfaction, the district provides a self-packaging booth equipped with packing boxes and a one-hour free parking ticket (at the public parking lot in front of the market) to customers who make purchases.

Especially, if the delivery address of purchased items is within Yangcheon-gu, same-day free delivery service is supported to improve convenience.

Above all, purchasing at the Yangcheon-gu direct transaction market also helps local sharing.

An official from the district stated, "Since last year, to help neighbors in need who feel lonelier during the holidays, we have voluntarily donated up to 5% of sales revenue (in cash or goods) to the Yangcheon Love Welfare Foundation and Food Bank in cooperation with participating companies," adding, "So far, about 6 million won in donations have been delivered to children and youth living in group homes."

Meanwhile, the direct transaction market, held annually during Seollal, Chuseok, and kimchi-making seasons, not only provides fresh and high-quality local specialties to residents but also supports farms struggling due to the economic downturn, drawing strong interest and positive responses from the community.

In particular, the kimchi-making season direct transaction market held at Yangcheon Park at the end of last November saw participation from 27 local governments and 45 companies, achieving sales exceeding 200 million won.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, "This market is a meaningful event that promotes urban-rural exchange and donates part of the sales revenue to help neighbors, so I hope many people will visit," adding, "The market offers high-quality local agricultural, marine, and livestock products at reasonable prices, so I hope residents can also reduce the cost burden of holiday ritual table expenses this Seollal."