[Photo] Gwangjin-gu Council Delivers Traditional Market Purchases to Welfare Facilities for Chuseok

Shopping at Jayang Alley Traditional Market

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of vulnerable groups left in welfare blind spots throughout society.

With the untact culture brought by COVID-19 and concerns about infection reducing visitors to welfare facilities, social attention is more necessary than ever. In response, the Gwangjin District Council (Chairperson Park Sam-rye) visited mental health facilities and other places prone to welfare service blind spots over three days from the 22nd to the 24th, taking time to care for marginalized neighbors.

Ahead of the Lunar New Year and Chuseok, the Gwangjin District Council, which has annually cared for marginalized groups in the community, has donated purchased goods to local welfare facilities alongside the traditional market shopping event held since 2017.

This year, they newly discovered mental health facilities in the area that were less known and rarely visited, ensuring that no one is left out during the holidays.

First, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, instead of all council members moving together, the Gwangjin District Council visited four traditional markets in the area (Sinseong Golmok Market, Jayang Golmok Market, Norunsan Golmok Market, Neungdong Market) over three days in a distributed manner.

They purchased daily necessities and food items to donate, supporting local merchants' sales and thereby taking care of traditional markets and small business owners, which are the foundation of the local economy.

Additionally, some purchased items were delivered to neighbors in need through the ‘Gwangjin Food Market’.

Due to concerns about COVID-19 infection, campaigns promoting market use were simplified, and the event was held relatively quietly compared to previous years, but various efforts to revive the local economy and help neighbors in need will continue.

Chairperson Park Sam-rye stated, “Although this Chuseok is different from usual as everyone is going through a psychologically and economically difficult time due to COVID-19, I hope we all remember to show warm concern for our neighbors.” He added, “The Gwangjin District Council will also take the lead in revitalizing traditional markets and neighborhood businesses, which are the foundation of the local economy, to breathe new life into the weakened local economy.”

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