Yongin City Receives Minister of SMEs Award for Revitalizing Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts

Starlight Yard Night Market Held and Alley-type Shopping District Development

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 28th that it was selected as an outstanding institution and received a commendation from the Minister of SMEs and Startups at the '2024 Traditional Market and Shopping District Revitalization Merit Awards' held on the 26th.

At the awards ceremony for contributors to the revitalization of traditional markets and shopping districts, officials from Yongin City are holding the Minister of SMEs and Startups Commendation. Provided by Yongin City

This award is given to local governments, excellent merchants, and traditional markets that have contributed to revitalizing local commercial districts through the promotion of traditional markets and shopping districts. Among the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, Yongin City was the only local government to receive the award this year.

The city is implementing various projects to revitalize traditional markets and shopping districts, including hosting the Yongin Jungang Market Night Market, supporting the development of the permanent weekend night market 'Byeoldang Market,' fostering alley-type shopping districts, and holding briefing sessions on support projects for small business owners.

In particular, the 'Byeolbitmadang Night Market' at Yongin Jungang Market has established itself as a representative festival of the city and is recognized for contributing to the revitalization of the commercial district. Held twice this year in June and October following last year, the Byeolbitmadang Night Market, in cooperation with the Yongin Jungang Market Merchants Association, provided various attractions and food not only to existing customers but also to potential customers, and was held as a festival-style event communicating with local residents, gaining enthusiastic responses from citizens.

Additionally, the designation of four commercial districts, including Bojeong-dong and Dongcheon-dong, as 'alley-type shopping districts' to promote the revitalization of small business commercial areas also received positive evaluations.

The city is also actively working on building infrastructure to revitalize local commercial districts. In April, it was selected for the '2025 Traditional Market Parking Environment Improvement Project,' securing 15 billion KRW, and for the 'Gyeonggi Province Traditional Market Facility Modernization Contest,' securing 1.87 billion KRW for the purchase of land for a complex convenience facility.

Meanwhile, at the awards ceremony, Kim Jeong-hoon, Senior Vice Chairman of the Yongin Jungang Market Merchants Association, also received a commendation from the Head of the Gyeonggi Regional Small and Medium Business Administration.

A city official stated, "We will continue to establish mid- to long-term visions and strategies to enhance the competitiveness of alley commercial districts and discover good policies considering the unique characteristics of the region to create commercial districts that satisfy both citizens and merchants."