Gokseong Gichadang Ddukbang Market Opens with Thorough Quarantine Measures

The First Opening This Year Amid Social Distancing on the 10th

Scheduled to Be Held Every Saturday (Including Special Markets on May 16, 23, 24, 30, and 31)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] The Gokseong Gichadang Ddukbang Market held its first market of the year on the 10th under thorough quarantine measures.

The Gichadang Ddukbang Market is a flea market that started in 2016 along the riverside near Gichamaeul in Gokseong County. Thanks to its relaxed scenery, unique products, and local culture and performances reflecting regional characteristics, it has gained high interest and popularity from residents and tourists, quickly establishing itself as a representative cultural tourism product and a place for sharing talents in the region.

This year, the market was originally scheduled to open on March 7 but was indefinitely postponed due to COVID-19. Then, as social distancing measures shifted to everyday life distancing from the 6th, the first opening was held on Sunday the 10th (originally planned for Saturday the 9th but postponed to the 10th due to rain).

For the opening, Gokseong County and the Gichadang Ddukbang Market Cooperative focused most on quarantine measures. The cooperative chairman was designated as the quarantine manager, and detailed quarantine measures were established by dividing into personal and collective quarantine areas.

First, the venue was thoroughly disinfected not only on the event day but also before and after the event. Quarantine personnel were stationed at three locations, including both entrances of the Ddukbang Market venue, to restrict entry of visitors without masks or those with a fever.

Additionally, antibacterial films were attached to multi-use facilities such as restrooms and the Gallery Ddukbang, and hand sanitizers were placed throughout the venue. Safety and quarantine guidelines were announced through various banners and signboards, and for visitors who did not bring masks, four sellers sold masks on-site.

Perhaps because it was the first opening in a long time, visitors continuously came throughout the market hours despite the cloudy weather. Visitors actively cooperated by following quarantine guidelines to ensure the market proceeded smoothly. Thanks to a 28% increase in new seller participation, the product variety expanded, and sales performance was reportedly good.

The county and the Gichadang Ddukbang Market Cooperative plan to continue holding the Ddukbang Market every Saturday while strictly adhering to everyday life distancing guidelines (if it rains, the market will be held on Sunday). However, in May, to accommodate visitors eagerly awaiting the market, additional markets will be held on Saturdays the 16th, 23rd, and 30th, as well as Sundays the 24th and 31st.

Furthermore, efforts to enrich the Ddukbang Market continue. From the 14th to June 15th, for about a month, the ‘Gokseong County and Crown Haitai Joint Life-Viewing (Gyeonsaeng) Sculpture Exhibition’ will be held along a 200m section of the riverside at the Ddukbang Market. By exhibiting 30 modern sculptures, it aims to provide visitors with visual enjoyment and promote cultural sensibility.

Also, resting areas and playgrounds are being created, and the surrounding environment is continuously maintained by planting roses and other plants along the riverside. Events such as visitor dress codes and cultural performances will be conducted more diversely.

A county official expressed gratitude to participating sellers and visitors, saying, “We hope the Ddukbang Market becomes a place where visitors exchange happiness beyond just buying and selling goods.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.