Dobongsan Entrance Transformed:
68 Street Vendors Shifted to Permit System and Standard Booths
Dobongsan Mountain, visited annually by about 6.7 million hikers, and its iconic entrance have recently undergone noticeable changes. The cluttered street vendors have been organized, and the pedestrian walkway has been newly renovated to a neat appearance. This is very good news for hikers as the weather warms up these days.
Behind this change lies the district office's efforts over the past three years. As of 2023, the entrance to Dobongsan was crowded with street vendors. Hikers often frowned at the disorderly street stalls.
In response, the district office took action. Based on the consensus previously formed with street vendor representatives, they launched an environmental improvement project in January 2023.
For about 1 year and 4 months until May 2024, they laid the groundwork for this project. The first step was to establish the "Dobong-gu Street Vendor Operation Regulations (Draft)." This created a foundation to shift from illegal unlicensed stalls to a permit-based system.
They also signed the "Dobongsan Street Vendor Environmental Improvement Project Agreement" with the Daejeon National Street Vendors Federation (Daenoryeon) and enacted and promulgated the Dobong-gu Street Vendor Operation Regulations.
Afterward, they officially launched the street vendor environmental improvement project. The area was divided into six zones, A to F, and construction was carried out. All 68 street vendors were replaced with standardized booths while improving the pedestrian environment and urban aesthetics.
Depending on the situation in each zone, they carried out asphalt paving, surface coating, installation of awnings, removal of long-term stored items, installation of public restrooms, and installation of public banner display stands.
Local residents are very pleased. Resident A said, "The place has become so clean that I can't recall how it looked before," adding, "Now Dobongsan seems to have regained its status as a famous mountain."
On April 8, the completion ceremony for the Dobongsan street vendor environmental improvement project was held. About 100 people, including Oh Eon-seok, the Dobong-gu district mayor, street vendor groups, and merchants, attended to celebrate the completion. At the ceremony, Mayor Oh said, "I am very pleased to have restored a safe and pleasant street for residents and hikers," and added, "We will maintain this condition well going forward."
Meanwhile, the district office is currently promoting the street vendor environmental improvement project at Exit 1 of Changdong Station. In February this year, a special task force was launched, and discussions with related organizations are ongoing. At the launch ceremony, Mayor Oh stated, "We will cooperate well with street vendors, local merchant associations, and related organizations to seek the value of coexistence," and "We will successfully complete the street vendor maintenance project to create a clean and safe pedestrian environment."
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