Choi Sang-mok "Vegetable Prices Still High... Full Effort to Stabilize Chuseok Prices"

Visit to Relevant Ministries and Mangwon Market
Review of Chuseok Seasonal Goods Supply Trends

Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance, urged on the 12th, "Due to the prolonged heatwave, prices of some items such as vegetables remain high," and requested, "Please make every effort to stabilize prices through additional measures such as expanding supply."

Deputy Prime Minister Choi made this demand to relevant ministries during a visit to Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to check the supply and demand trends of seasonal goods ahead of the Chuseok holiday.

(From the second on the right) Song Miryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Choi Sangmok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance; and Kang Dohyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, visited Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 12th to inspect the site. / Photo by Ministry of Economy and Finance

He stated, "Recently, prices of seasonal goods have stabilized, with prices of fruits like apples and pears and livestock products such as Korean beef falling compared to last year due to government stock releases and discount support," but emphasized that efforts must be made to stabilize prices of some items like vegetables, which remain a concern.

He also requested, "During the remaining period, please fully implement supply and demand management of unstable price items, on-site refund events for traditional market Onnuri gift certificates, and discount support to reduce the burden of Chuseok shopping basket prices."

Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, who accompanied him that day, said, "We will faithfully carry out the supply plan for Chuseok seasonal goods during the remaining period," and added, "For some items such as napa cabbage and radish, which have relatively high prices due to poor crop conditions caused by the heatwave, we will mobilize all possible means to stabilize prices."

Kang Do-hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, who was also present, mentioned, "Prices of major seafood seasonal goods have gradually declined and stabilized since the announcement of the 'Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Measures,'" and said, "To stabilize prices during the holiday period, we will expand the supply of stockpiled seafood in high demand by the public and do our best to stabilize prices, focusing on seasonal goods such as croaker."

Deputy Prime Minister Choi also participated in the on-site refund event for Onnuri gift certificates by bringing products purchased with the certificates to the refund booth inside the market. He urged, "Please ensure that benefits such as the on-site refund event and expanded discount rates reach many people," and requested, "Efforts to eradicate fraudulent use of Onnuri gift certificates will also be strengthened."