Specialized Food Streets Also Designated as 'Golmok-type Shopping Districts'... Marketing Support Provided

Enforcement Decree Effective from the 12th
Handling of Onnuri Gift Certificates

Photo by Ministry of SMEs and Startups

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] Local governments can now designate areas within 2000㎡ where 30 or more small business owners are densely concentrated, regardless of industry, as 'Golmok-type Shopping Districts.' Areas that were not previously recognized as shopping districts can also receive various support from the government and local authorities by utilizing the Golmok-type Shopping District system.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that the 'Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts' will be enforced starting from the 12th. The main content of this decree is to establish the store concentration criteria for Golmok-type Shopping Districts, delegated from the Traditional Market Act, to implement the Golmok-type Shopping District system.

Reviewing the contents of this enforcement decree, the store concentration criteria for Golmok-type Shopping Districts are set to be the same level as existing shopping districts: 30 or more stores within an area of 2000㎡ or less. Local governments are allowed to set criteria considering regional conditions and store characteristics. If separate criteria are established in consultation with the Minister of SMEs and Startups, those criteria must be followed, allowing the designation of Golmok-type Shopping Districts that fit local characteristics.

Besides the store concentration criteria for Golmok-type Shopping Districts, the scope of disclosure for traditional market safety inspection results has been defined as ▲market name and location ▲inspection date ▲inspection agency ▲major points of concern. These results will be published on the fire safety inspection computer system and website operated by the Small Enterprise and Market Service.

If a merchant affiliated with the Onnuri Gift Certificate violates compliance requirements, support under this law can be suspended for 1 to 3 years depending on the number of violations. Additionally, if an Onnuri Gift Certificate merchant’s affiliation is canceled, a basis has been established to prohibit re-registration as a merchant for 3 months to 1 year depending on the number of cancellations.

According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, traditional markets under Article 2 of the Traditional Market Act and shopping districts under Article 2 of the Distribution Industry Development Act can receive support such as promotion and marketing, parking lot construction, and handling of Onnuri Gift Certificates according to the Traditional Market Act. Shopping districts are interpreted and operated under the requirement that retail and wholesale businesses within the area account for 50% or more of the operating stores.

In February, the Traditional Market Act was amended and promulgated to allow local governments to designate areas where small business owners are densely concentrated above a level prescribed by Presidential Decree, regardless of industry, as Golmok-type Shopping Districts through ordinances, enabling them to receive support equivalent to traditional markets and shopping districts.

Lee Sangcheon, Head of Traditional Market Promotion Division at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Areas such as restaurant-dense zones that were not previously recognized as shopping districts are expected to receive various support from the government and local authorities, including promotion and marketing support and handling of Onnuri Gift Certificates, by utilizing the Golmok-type Shopping District system."

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