Merchants Smile Amid Bustling Customers... Governor Kim Tae-heum "Will Make It the Nation's Best Fish Market"
The Seocheon Specialty Market in Chungnam, which had been reduced to ashes by a fire, has regained its vitality.
The Seocheon Specialty Market, reopened after three months, was bustling with customers welcoming the opening on the 25th. Despite being a weekday, the market was filled with so many visitors that it felt like a weekend, bringing warmth back to the market.
The temporary market, set up in the space of the original market parking lot, houses 226 stores including the seafood section, agricultural products section, and the market office. Fortunately, the agricultural products section was not damaged by the fire, but it will be demolished and rebuilt together with the Seocheon Specialty Market reconstruction.
Yu Geum-ok (72, female), a vendor selling flatfish in the seafood section, was busy greeting the continuous stream of customers. She was nonstop filling baskets with flatfish and packaging orders, but a smile never left her face.
Upon seeing a regular customer after a long time, Yu warmly held their hand and exchanged greetings. She said she was simply grateful to be able to work again.
She said, "I was very worried for three months, but I was able to sleep well after many sleepless nights and also met my daughter. We received a lot of help from many places due to the fire, and the province also did a lot of promotion, so I couldn't be more thankful."
She added, "I received a lot of compensation, and the temporary market was well prepared, so I couldn't ask for more. I would be grateful if the newly rebuilt market turns out at least this good."
Governor Kim Tae-heum also visited the market that day to encourage the merchants.
Governor Kim said, "I am glad to return the market to the merchants who lost their livelihoods and went through difficult times due to the fire that occurred before the Lunar New Year holiday. I thank the merchants who worked together and those who extended helping hands."
He continued, "We will rebuild the Seocheon Specialty Market to become the best seafood market in the nation. I ask everyone to join forces for the market’s revival."
The province and Seocheon County, in celebration of the temporary market opening, are refunding up to 30% of domestic seafood purchase amounts in Onnuri gift certificates and have increased the discount rate for local love gift certificates from the previous 10% to 20%.
The province plans to reconstruct the Seocheon Specialty Market within one year and six months in cooperation with Hyundai Construction.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
