Climate Action in Practice:
Eco-Bag Circulation and Resource Recycling Campaigns Led by Residents and Merchants
Building a Sustainable and Trustworthy Market through Digitalization and Enhanced Safety Infrastructure
Dongdaemun District (Mayor Lee Pilhyung) announced that on April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, it held the "Circulating Eco-Bag Campaign" at Cheongnyangni General Market.
On this day, Kim Wansub, Minister of Environment, attended the event, leaving his handprint on a pledge board for greenhouse gas reduction and expressing a strong commitment to carbon neutrality. Minister Kim highly praised the voluntary efforts of residents and merchants taking place at the site.
- An 'Eco-Friendly' Market Responding to Climate Change
This campaign was part of the "2025 Climate Change Week" program (April 21-25), held under the slogan "Let's Take Climate Action! Let's Adapt Our Lives!" Private organizations such as the "Carbon Talks Dongdaemun" Resource Circulation Division and the Korea Carbon Neutral Practice Association organized various experiential programs, including a cycle of eco-bag donation, use, and return; a greenhouse gas reduction pledge; the "Courage to Refill Station" experience; and a paper pack resource circulation campaign.
In particular, Cheongnyangni General Market, which served as the main stage for this event, is a key hub in the district's ongoing policy to transition traditional markets to eco-friendly spaces. It is recognized as a leading example of realizing resource circulation and carbon neutrality in daily life. Within the market, the "Circulating Eco-Bag Campaign," which rents out and collects donated eco-bags instead of plastic bags, is operated regularly.
- A 'Safe and Trustworthy' Market
The district is working to make traditional markets spaces where consumers can shop with confidence by improving safety and hygiene infrastructure. This includes replacing fire detectors, expanding CCTV coverage, upgrading sales stands, and reinforcing firefighting facilities in each market. Regular hygiene inspections, a price display system, and enforcement of country-of-origin labeling are also being strengthened, increasing transparency and trust in the market's distribution environment. This year, approximately 2.8 billion KRW will be invested solely in safety management and facility improvements for traditional markets, with the expectation of establishing a robust consumer safety system.
- An 'Attractive' Market Where People Want to Stay
Recently, Cheongnyangni's Fried Chicken Alley and the "Andongjip" Imokase have been featured on television programs, reigniting public interest in traditional markets. Affordable fruit prices, the friendly culture of merchants, and unique alleyway foods are also gaining popularity among consumers through word of mouth on social media and online communities, earning the market a reputation as a place people want to revisit.
Taking advantage of this trend, the district is pursuing policies to transform traditional markets into consumer experience-oriented spaces. At Cheongnyangni General Market, the "Digital Traditional Market" development project is underway, gradually introducing online ordering and delivery services, as well as smart information systems. By renovating customer lounges, creating guided walkways, and installing landscape lighting, the traditional market is evolving into a living space where people want to spend time, beyond just shopping for groceries.
This year, the district will invest approximately 3.3 billion KRW to comprehensively promote the modernization of facilities, business support, safety management, cultural events, and digitalization for traditional markets and alley-type shopping districts. Efforts such as nurturing young merchants, hosting cultural events, joint marketing, and merchant training are also being carried out in parallel, strengthening the self-sustainability of the traditional market ecosystem.
Lee Pilhyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun District, stated, "Cheongnyangni Market is now evolving beyond a traditional market to become a central space where local residents and merchants work together to respond to the climate crisis and realize sustainability. We will continue to create an eco-friendly, trustworthy, and desirable market that consumers want to visit."
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