Mapo District to Host Contactless Direct Market for Chuseok

21 Local Governments Including Mapo's Sister City Gochang to Join Nationwide
Contactless Direct Market Open from August 23 to September 3
Order by Phone, Fresh Products Delivered Directly from Producers

Direct Market Promotion Video

[Asia Economy, Reporter Park Jongil] Mapo District (District Mayor Yoo Donggyun) will host a contactless direct market from August 23 to September 3 in celebration of Chuseok, Korea's traditional holiday.

This direct market will feature a total of 41 businesses from 21 local governments, including Mapo District's sister city Gochang County in Jeollabuk-do, as well as other sister cities and regions such as Jeolla, Gyeongsang, and Gangwon. They will offer 85 types of specialty and agricultural products, including eco-friendly rice, Korean beef, dried vegetables, apples, and fresh pears.

Each year, Mapo District has held a direct market at the Mapo District Office plaza ahead of major holidays. However, due to the worsening spread of COVID-19, the district has been operating the direct market in a contactless format since 2020.

So far, the contactless direct market has been held five times in total. During last year's Chuseok, total sales exceeded 25 million KRW, establishing itself as a successful urban-rural exchange method in the era of untact (non-face-to-face) brought on by COVID-19.

To participate, buyers can check promotional materials on the Mapo District website or at local community centers, then place orders for desired items by calling the Mapo District Local Economy Division.

With no intermediary distribution margin, products are shipped directly from producers to buyers via courier. This allows buyers to purchase fresh, high-quality goods at prices up to 20% lower than market rates.

The district expects that this contactless direct market will provide new sales channels for agricultural and fishing villages struggling to find markets due to the spread of COVID-19, while also offering buyers fresh and affordable local specialty products delivered directly from the source at lower prices than the market.

Meanwhile, the Mapo District Youth Job Program's broadcasting team produced a 1-minute 27-second promotional video for the direct market, which was posted on Mapo District's YouTube channel (channel name: my Mapo Mapogu) and Mapo IPTV. Many inquiries have been received even before the market opened.

Yoo Donggyun, Mayor of Mapo District, stated, "For this bountiful Chuseok, we have prepared many affordable and trustworthy agricultural and specialty products, so I hope for the active interest and participation of our residents."

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