Tight Budget... Preparing at Chuseok Seasonal Goods Direct Market

Direct Market Opening for Chuseok in Seoul Autonomous Districts Including Jongno-gu, Gangnam-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, and Gangseo-gu

Prices are rising, and the Chuseok holiday is approaching amid tight household budgets.

Meanwhile, autonomous districts such as Jongno-gu, Gangnam-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, and Gangseo-gu in Seoul are opening direct transaction markets for Chuseok.

These direct transaction markets offer local agricultural and marine products from sister cities at prices up to about 20% cheaper.

‘Jongno-gu Direct Transaction Market’ with participation from 16 farms in 8 cities… Selling rice, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, etc.

Jongno-gu (District Mayor Jeong Moon-heon) will hold the 'Chuseok Agricultural Specialty Products Direct Transaction Market' on September 2 and 3 at Cheongjin Park (146-3 Cheongjin-dong).

The event aims to create a direct exchange platform between urban and rural areas, producers and consumers, providing residents with the opportunity to purchase reliable, high-quality agricultural specialty products while supporting increased income for farmers.

This direct transaction market will feature a total of 16 farms from 8 cities, including Geochang-gun, Goseong-gun, Gokseong-gun, Naju-si, Andong-si, Yeoju-si, Jeongeup-si, which have sister city relationships with Jongno-gu, plus Hongcheon-gun recommended by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

The market operates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., selling agricultural specialty products and holiday gift sets at prices up to 20% cheaper than market prices.

Main items include rice, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, shiitake mushrooms representing each city, and agricultural products directly produced and processed locally. For inquiries, contact the Distribution Management Team of the Job Policy Division.

Jongno-gu stated, “To celebrate Chuseok, we invited farmers from sister cities to open a platform for urban-rural coexistence,” and added, “We hope many people will show interest in the direct transaction market where holiday essentials can be purchased at affordable prices.”

Gangnam-gu operates direct transaction market in district office parking lot... 8 local governments showcase 'Sister City Promotion Pavilion'

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) will open a Chuseok direct transaction market at the district office parking lot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 10. This market will feature, for the first time, a 'Sister City Promotion Pavilion' with participation from 8 local governments as a special exchange platform.

More than 80 farms from over 50 locations nationwide will participate in the direct transaction market, selling holiday ritual items such as Korean beef, pears, and apples, as well as local specialties like dried yellow corvina and mushrooms, at discounts of more than 10% compared to market prices. Purchased items can be shipped anywhere nationwide by applying for courier delivery service (4,000 KRW) by 4 p.m.

The Sister City Promotion Pavilion includes 8 cities that have sister city relationships with Gangnam-gu: ▲Yanggu-gun, Gangwon ▲Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do ▲Jeungpyeong-gun, Chungbuk ▲Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk ▲Dangjin-si, Chungnam ▲Cheongyang-gun, Chungnam ▲Yeongju-si, Gyeongbuk ▲Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk. Each city promotes its specialties, local festivals, hometown love donation programs, and benefits among sister cities. A food market selling various snacks such as tteokbokki, sikhye, and buchimgae will also be held to actively promote the regions.

On-site events include food master experience programs. From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Master Yoon Mi-wol will demonstrate making Sungchimchae (whole cabbage kimchi) on the main stage at the district office main entrance. From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Master Shin Gwang-su (a successor of Shin Seon-mi) will hold a tea tasting session featuring deokumcha, a tea made by roasting fresh leaves to destroy oxidase enzymes, on the first floor of the main building.

Additionally, the first 100 people who bring receipts for purchases over 10,000 KRW will be offered caricature and calligraphy experience events on a first-come, first-served basis. Caricatures will be drawn directly on paper or sent as image files to the applicant’s email. The calligraphy experience allows participants to write messages to their families along with flower drawings in celebration of the holiday.

For residents who cannot visit on the day, pre-orders will be accepted from August 29 to September 4. Items can be checked in leaflets available on the district office website and at 22 community service centers. Orders can be placed by phone or visit to the respective community service centers. Pre-ordered items will be shipped sequentially starting September 9.

Gangnam-gu Mayor Jo Seong-myeong said, “This direct transaction market allows residents not only to purchase high-quality local specialties economically but also to get closer to sister cities that exchange with Gangnam-gu,” adding, “We hope residents visit the lively market full of holiday atmosphere and prepare for a bountiful Chuseok.”

Eunpyeong-gu holds agricultural and specialty products direct transaction festival along Bulgwangcheon Stream

Eunpyeong-gu (District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that it will hold a Chuseok agricultural and specialty products direct transaction festival for three days from September 6 to 8 along Bulgwangcheon Stream, from Eungam Station to Sinheung Sangga Bridge.

The direct transaction festival has been held annually with sister cities, and this year, Jeollanam-do will participate, offering residents a richer and more diverse selection of Chuseok seasonal products and local specialties.

This year’s festival will feature 60 booths operated by 20 farms from 9 sister cities of Eunpyeong-gu, including Gapyeong-gun, Seocheon-gun, Yeongyang-gun, and 28 farms from 17 locations in Jeollanam-do such as Yeosu-si, Yeonggwang-gun, and Naju-si.

Various fruits like figs and grapes, as well as local specialties such as dried yellow corvina, salt, black pork hind leg meat, and green tea, will be available for residents to see and purchase at prices lower than market rates.

Eunpyeong-gu Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said, “Through this direct transaction festival, we provide residents with diverse and excellent local agricultural and specialty products, and we hope many residents participate,” adding, “We also hope it will provide practical help to farmers facing difficulties in market development.”

Seoul Gangseo-gu operates Chuseok direct transaction market on September 5-6

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon) will operate a ‘Chuseok Direct Transaction Market’ for two days from September 5 to 6.

The direct transaction market, held annually before Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, reduces distribution stages significantly to sell high-quality agricultural specialty products at reasonable prices, gaining great popularity among residents.

The market will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days at Magok Square ground level (near Magoknaru Station exits 2 and 5).

This year, 29 companies from 12 local governments including ▲Imsil-gun ▲Sangju-si ▲Taean-gun ▲Gangneung-si ▲Yeosu-si ▲Haman-gun ▲Suncheon-si ▲Jeongeup-si ▲Goesan-gun ▲Wanju-gun ▲Pyeongchang-gun ▲Cheongyang-gun will participate, showcasing a variety of agricultural specialty products.

Popular local specialties such as Imsil Korean beef, Sangju dried persimmons, Yeosu mustard kimchi, as well as cheese, cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste), and traditional Korean sweets produced and processed locally will be available.

Especially this year, a local food promotion booth will feature Gyeongbokgung rice produced in Gangseo-gu and Naru Saeng Makgeolli made from that rice, allowing residents to purchase locally produced specialties.

Since its inception in 2000, the Gangseo-gu direct transaction market has provided opportunities to enjoy food and attractions full of local characteristics in the city while purchasing various agricultural specialty products at affordable prices like hometown generosity.

The district expects the market to help residents prepare economically for the holidays and promote exchanges with sister cities.

District Mayor Jin Gyo-hoon said, “The direct transaction market has been loved by residents every year for its excellent agricultural specialty products, so we have prepared it abundantly and meaningfully this year as well,” adding, “We ask for residents’ great interest and participation in the market where local farmers are supported and holiday preparations can be made economically.”