Eased Criteria for Alley-Type Shopping Districts in Sejong Expected to Boost Economic Vitality

Reflecting Local Characteristics,
Ordinance Amended in Consultation with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

The criteria for the concentration of stores in alley-type shopping districts in Sejong City have been eased from at least 25 stores per 2,000 square meters to at least 15. In addition, common areas such as roads and parking lots will be excluded when calculating the first-floor area. This change was made possible by the revision and promulgation of the “Ordinance on the Designation of Alley-Type Shopping Districts in Sejong Special Self-Governing City” on September 29, and will be implemented in earnest.

This amendment, in particular, was made in consultation with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to reflect the unique characteristics of Sejong City, which has a high vacancy rate in commercial districts.

According to Sejong City on October 16, once designated as an alley-type shopping district, merchants can enjoy various benefits such as joining the Onnuri Gift Certificate affiliate program and receiving support for projects to revitalize commercial areas. The city expects that the revised ordinance will lower the barriers for small business owners to be designated as alley-type shopping districts and inject new vitality into stagnant commercial areas.

In particular, areas such as Dae-pyeong-dong, Boram-dong riverside shopping districts, and Jiphyeon-dong, which have been struggling with high vacancy rates, are now expected to meet the new concentration criteria for alley-type shopping districts, leading to more active economic activity in these regions.

Kim Hyunki, Director of the Economic and Industrial Bureau, stated, “The amendment to the ordinance will serve as a turning point for the recovery of local commercial districts, as it allows even areas with many vacancies or small-scale commercial areas to be designated as alley-type shopping districts. We will continue our efforts to create a citizen-centered, self-sustaining local economic ecosystem.”