A Five-Year, 4 Billion KRW Investment
Gijang Market Area Chosen for the "2026 Commercial District Revitalization Project"
Gijang County in Busan (Governor Jung Jongbok) will officially begin revitalizing the local commercial district centered on the traditional market, as the area around Gijang Market has been selected as a finalist for the "2026 Commercial District Revitalization Project."
On April 30, Gijang County announced that it had been selected as a finalist in this competition, which is hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and coordinated with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. A total of 4 billion KRW (2 billion KRW in national funds, 1 billion KRW in city funds, and 1 billion KRW in county funds) will be invested from 2026 to 2030.
Gijang Market features a complex commercial structure, including the traditional market, nearby building-type shopping centers, individual shop-type stores, and street vendors. Through this project, the county aims to inject new vitality into the declining alleyway commercial district.
The project will focus on establishing a unique business model for the Gijang commercial district, led by a dedicated support organization composed of the autonomous commercial district association and commercial district planners. The model will incorporate input from merchants, young entrepreneurs, and local residents. By combining local raw products such as seaweed, kelp, and green onions with historical and cultural resources like Gijangeupseong Fortress and Janggwancheong, the plan is to expand local content centered on the traditional market.
Detailed initiatives include: ▲ developing a commercial district story branding, ▲ providing integrated consulting for merchants and operating a startup school, ▲ creating a specialized street called "Gijang Old Road," ▲ establishing the "Gijang Waterway" youth market and event space, ▲ operating a rebranding school, ▲ running seasonal promotions, and ▲ managing a dedicated support organization. These programs are designed to build an ecosystem centered on the commercial district and merchants, and to strengthen the foundation for sustainable commercial district operations.
Kim Dongchan, Chairman of the Gijang Market Autonomous Commercial District Association, said, "Since the establishment of the association, we have resolved longstanding conflicts among merchants and strengthened the community foundation of the commercial district. Please look forward to seeing Gijang Market, with its 80-year tradition, make a new leap forward."
Jung Jongbok, Governor of Gijang County, emphasized, "We will connect Gijang's excellent local raw products and historical and cultural resources with tourism assets to transform Gijang Market into an attractive commercial district loved by citizens and tourists. Through the creation of a sustainable commercial district and the establishment of an integrated service system, we will drive the local economy and actively support Gijang Market to become a national role model for commercial district revitalization projects."
Last year, Gijang Market was selected for the "Neighborhood Commercial District Development Support Project" by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, laying the foundation for revitalizing the commercial district. Under the direction of local creator company LocalbyLocal Co., Ltd., the association established the autonomous commercial district association, carried out rebranding, and operated pop-up stores, successfully completing preliminary tasks. The five-year operation plan has already received eligibility approval from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
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