Minister Oh Young-joo of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups Conducts On-site Inspection of Alleyway Markets in Incheon Region

Visit to Incheon Artfore Sales Facility Shopping District
Discussion on Revitalization Plans for Alley-type Shopping Districts

Oh Young-joo, Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, visited the Artfore sales facility alley-type shopping district located in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon on the 10th to inspect the operation status of the alley-type shopping district and listen to the livelihood issues of the merchants. Minister Oh carefully checked the on-site issues by visiting various stores within the Artfore shopping district one by one.

The Artfore shopping district is a cultural and artistic complex located at the Incheon Art Center and the starting point of Songdo Central Park. After the Songdo Canal Walk shopping district was designated as an alley-type shopping district in 2022, it became the second alley-type shopping district designated in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.

Minister Oh Young-joo of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups visited the Alley-type Shopping District at Incheon Artfore sales facility on the 10th, held a tea meeting with shopping district officials, and listened to their on-site opinions.

Kim In-hyo, president of the Artfore shopping district merchants' association, emphasized, "The merchants' association made great efforts to have the shopping district designated as an alley-type shopping district to revive the depressed commercial area. As a result, about 85% of the stores have completed joining the Onnuri gift certificate system over the past year and are actively promoting it."

Minister Oh Young-joo said, "This year, according to the alley-type shopping district revitalization policy, I visited to listen to the difficulties of the merchants and to seek revitalization plans together to provide customized support tailored to the characteristics of the site. Starting from the 17th, a two-week digital Onnuri gift certificate refund event will begin, and I hope it will be an event that energizes not only the customers visiting the shopping district but also the merchants."