[Report] 10,000 Won for a Single Mackerel?... Markets Hold Their Breath Too

At Namgwangju Market in Gwangju on the 2nd
Lighter Shopping Baskets, Heavier Sighs
Radish and Napa Cabbage Prices Soar... Fresh Food Index Up 2.3%
"Statistics Are Just Averages... The Real Impact Feels Even Greater"

"Last year, 8,000 won was enough. But today, I saw it was 10,000 won. I just walked past."

On the morning of the 2nd at Namgwangju Market in Gwangju, Kim Gilrye (68) hesitated for a long time in front of a fish stall before eventually turning away. She said that while her household situation remains the same, her shopping basket is getting lighter and lighter. "Mackerel used to be a staple for dinner. Now, I even hesitate to buy just one fish."

On the morning of the 2nd, in the alleys inside Namgwangju Market in Gwangju, the steps of those shopping are quiet, and their shopping baskets are not easily filled. Photo by Song Bohyun

The alleys inside the market were bustling, but the vendors' expressions were heavy. Park, who sells tofu and fish, said, "There are still shoppers, but fewer buyers. They just ask about the price and leave." "Mackerel? Last year, it was around 7,000 to 8,000 won per fish, but now it's 10,000 won. Our profit margins are shrinking, and so are the customers."

Inside the market, there was more reading of the room than conversation. One vendor said, "People used to say, 'Can you give me a discount?' but now it's more common to hear, 'I'll just not buy it.'" Hands turning away indifferently, wallets pausing before pulling out cards, and shopping baskets that never fill up?these are now the scenes here.

However, the statistics tell a different story. According to the March 2025 Gwangju Consumer Price Trends announced by the Honam Regional Statistics Office that day, Gwangju's consumer price index rose by 1.9% compared to the same month last year. This is a slight slowdown from the previous month (2.1%). The Statistics Office interpreted this as "price stability continuing."

The living necessities price index rose by 2.1%, and the fresh food index increased by 2.3%. Notably, fish and seafood (fresh fish and shellfish) rose by 6.3% compared to the same month last year. Vegetable prices also soared, with radish (109.4%), napa cabbage (63.3%), and tangerines (31.8%)?most ingredients for side dishes?seeing sharp increases. Eating out is no exception. Food and lodging prices in Gwangju rose by 3.2% compared to last year, with sashimi up 9.6% and haejangguk up 7.7%.

Regarding this, a Statistics Office official explained, "Since the index is calculated based on the weighted average of representative items, the perceived inflation may differ depending on the items individual consumers frequently purchase." The living necessities price index and the fresh food index are supplementary indicators to address such differences.

Between the hands packing the fish, plastic rustles and water splashes. Behind the busy movements, cautious consumption continues. Photo by Song Bohyun.

But the market reacts before the indicators do. While Gwangju's morning market was starting up again, customers' steps remained cautious.

Citizens at the scene agreed, saying, "Statistics are about averages, but what we feel is that prices are rising even more than that average." A vendor near the entrance of the market said, "I heard the impeachment verdict is coming out on the 4th... The country is unsettled, but maybe things will get better after that," trailing off at the end.