"Let's Save Local Restaurants!" ... Calls Grow for 'Year-End Farewell Parties'

Seoul City Council Chair Choi Hojung Holds Year-End Party with Staff on 18th
Geumcheon District Mayor Yuseonghun Suggests Having Postponed Year-End Party, Closes Cafeteria Once a Week and Encourages Use of Nearby Restaurants

Voices are rising that the livelihood economy is at its worst following the impeachment political turmoil.

At times like these, opinions advocating for holding year-end parties and revitalizing the local economy are also increasing.

Choi Ho-jung, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, took the lead in revitalizing the local economy by holding a dinner with staff on the 18th.

Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon District, also suggested holding the postponed year-end party to revive the neighborhood commercial districts, closing the district office cafeteria every Friday and ordering meals from nearby restaurants.

Chairperson Choi Ho-jung: “Promoting year-end parties within the bounds of public sentiment, let’s support increasing sales for self-employed business owners”

Year-end party with staff at a restaurant in Mugyo-dong... Visited the ‘Seoul Lantern Festival’ at Cheonggyecheon to encourage tourist visits

Choi Ho-jung, Chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, held a year-end party with the council’s administrative staff at a restaurant in Mugyo-dong on the 18th, joining efforts to support small business owners.

Chairperson Choi said, “Having visited the field frequently, I realized that the difficulties faced by self-employed business owners and small merchants are much greater than we think. One citizen running a store told me it feels as if they are completely isolated from the world, which is how tough it is. Now is the time for the public sector to actively step up, so I took the initiative to encourage year-end parties myself.”

On that day, Chairperson Choi also spoke with and encouraged the restaurant owner. She said, “For now, I will support increasing sales through encouraging year-end parties. Also, I will continue to visit the field to ensure that the small business support projects promoted by Seoul City are working well on the ground, fill in any gaps, and create changes that small business owners can tangibly feel.”

After the meal, Chairperson Choi visited the nearby Cheonggyecheon site where the ‘2024 Seoul Lantern Festival’ is being held. She said, “As winter approaches, Seoul Winter Festa is unfolding in various places for citizens and tourists to enjoy with all their senses. Please enjoy the festival safely and with peace of mind in a safe Seoul.”

Yoo Sung-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon District: “We will do our best to revive the local economy”

Expanding cafeteria closure days, actively promoting year-end parties, focusing on revitalizing the local economy

Geumcheon District (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) is intensively promoting measures to revitalize the local economy and stabilize livelihoods during the chaotic impeachment political situation.

Following an emergency meeting to stabilize district administration after the National Assembly’s approval of the impeachment motion, a cooperation meeting among related organizations was held at Geumcheon District Office on the 19th to ensure community stability.

The meeting was attended by the Geumcheon District Mayor, the Geumcheon Police Chief, and the Geumcheon Fire Chief. They discussed ▲ emergency livelihood economy revitalization measures ▲ special crime prevention plans for the impeachment political situation ▲ thorough disaster response and safety management, and deliberated on strengthening an organic cooperation system, prioritizing residents’ safety and livelihood stability.

To revive the local commercial districts struggling due to the impeachment political turmoil, the district expanded the cafeteria closure day, used daily by about 800 people, to “every Friday.” Every Friday is designated as “Local Economy Revitalization Day,” with each department designating traditional markets and shopping streets and encouraging the use of “restaurants you are visiting for the first time.”

Furthermore, department meetings and year-end gatherings will be resumed to support local commercial districts and actively used as opportunities to listen to residents’ difficulties and communicate. Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, “Through a close cooperation system among related organizations, we will do our best to combine the capabilities of each institution to secure residents’ safety and livelihood stability,” adding, “Please work together so that we can wisely overcome these difficult times.” He continued, “In a situation where small business owners and self-employed people are facing great difficulties due to the impeachment political turmoil and economic downturn, we aim to breathe some life into the frozen neighborhood commercial districts by expanding cafeteria closure days and promoting year-end parties. We will continue to prepare measures to revitalize the local economy.”