Sungju Traditional Market Selected as Final Winner for "Culture and Tourism-Oriented Market" Project, Secures 1 Billion Won in Funding

Selected for Ministry of SMEs and Startups Project, Sungju Traditional Market to Be Developed as a Leading Regional Tourism Destination Over Two Years
Content Development Linked to Historical and Cultural Resources, Major Improvements in Visitor Amenities

Sungju Traditional Market, the leading traditional market in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province, has been finally selected for the "2026 Culture and Tourism-Oriented Market Development Project" organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, signaling a positive outlook for revitalizing the local economy.

According to Seongju County on January 8, the Culture and Tourism-Oriented Market Development Project aims to discover the unique history, culture, and tourism resources possessed by traditional markets and foster them as signature regional tourism content.

Sungju Traditional Market was recognized for its value after undergoing a rigorous document review and on-site evaluation targeting traditional markets nationwide.

With this selection, Sungju Traditional Market will receive a total project budget of 1 billion won over the next two years, including 500 million won in national funding, 150 million won in provincial funding, and 350 million won in county funding.

The county plans to use this support to strengthen the market’s foundation and expand its reach through a variety of initiatives.

Key initiatives include: ▲ developing tourism programs utilizing the market's unique content ▲ expanding cultural tourism content such as hands-on experiences and events ▲ improving visitor amenities and upgrading the market environment ▲ and enhancing online and offline promotional marketing.

In particular, Seongju County intends to build on the achievements of last year’s successful "First Step Foundation Project" and, through this new project, transform Sungju Traditional Market from a mere marketplace into a complex cultural space where both local residents and tourists can enjoy together.

A Seongju County official stated, "Being selected for this project will serve as an important turning point for Sungju Traditional Market to become a leading tourism-oriented traditional market in the region. We will work closely with market merchants to make it a landmark that attracts visitors from all over the country."

Meanwhile, Sungju Traditional Market is expected to breathe new life into the stagnant local commercial district by creating synergy with nearby tourism resources through this project.