Mapo District Wins Four Ministerial Commendations for Revitalizing Traditional Markets

The Most Award Winners Among Seoul’s Autonomous Districts

Mapo District in Seoul (Mayor Kangsoo Park) announced on the 24th that, at the opening ceremony of the recently held ‘2025 National Excellent Market Expo,’ two organizations and two individuals received Minister’s Commendations at the ‘2025 Awards for Contributions to the Revitalization of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts’ hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, making Mapo a quadruple award winner.

Kangsoo Park, Mayor of Mapo District (left), is talking with merchants at Mangwon Market, where the Mangwon Beer Festa is being held. Provided by Mapo District.

This award ceremony honors organizations and individuals who have contributed to revitalizing traditional markets and strengthening commercial district competitiveness. It is held annually nationwide under the auspices of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. This year, in Seoul, 10 organizations and 6 individuals were selected as awardees. Mapo District produced winners in both the organization and individual categories, achieving the highest number of awards among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

In the organization category, Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market received the Minister of the Interior and Safety’s Commendation, while Yonggang-dong Shopping District was awarded the Minister of SMEs and Startups’ Commendation. In the individual category, Kim Eunjong, President of the Mangwon Market Merchants Association, and Nam Seonghee, Auditor of the Ahyeon Market Merchants Association, were both honored with the Minister of SMEs and Startups’ Commendation.

Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market contributed to increased customer inflow and sales by improving outdated facilities and continuously holding ‘Onnuri Gift Certificate Rebate Events,’ offering up to a 30% rebate during holiday periods. Ahyeon Market promoted the first phase of arcade renovations from May to December this year, replacing old roofing and creating a more pleasant shopping environment.

Additionally, Yonggang-dong Shopping District and Mangwon Market were selected as sites for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ ‘Cultural Tourism-Type Specialized Market Development Project,’ and over two years, are being transformed into experiential tourism markets that combine local culture and tourism resources. Yonggang-dong Shopping District is installing street lighting, creating a night market, and developing the local brand product ‘Yonggang Makgeolli.’ Mangwon Market is attracting younger visitors and promoting itself globally through festivals such as ‘Mangwon Beer Festa’ and ‘Mangwon Coffee Festa.’

Mayor Kangsoo Park stated, “Winning four awards is the result of the district and merchant associations working together to revitalize our markets,” and added, “We will continue to provide unwavering support so that traditional markets and shopping districts remain at the heart of the local economy, beloved by both residents and tourists.”