Jongno-gu Wins 'Presidential Award' at the 2021 National Excellent Market Expo

[Jongno-gu News] Awarded the Presidential Prize as an 'Excellent Institution for Revitalizing Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts' at the '2021 National Excellent Market Expo' held on the 3rd... Next year, various projects worth 5 billion KRW planned, including arcade repairs and interior wall painting as part of facility modernization... Jongno-gu to hold seasonal event 'Dongjisudal' at Sangchonjae on the 18th from 10 AM to 5 PM, featuring red bean porridge tasting, beoseon making, and traditional fairy tale puppet shows...

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (Acting Mayor Kang Pil-young) was honored with the Presidential Award as an ‘Outstanding Institution for Revitalizing Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts’ at the ‘2021 National Excellent Market Expo’ hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups on the 3rd.

Started in 2004 and now in its 17th year, the National Excellent Market Expo is the largest traditional market festival in the country, featuring about 200 excellent traditional markets and attracting 200,000 merchants and visitors nationwide.

This year, the event began with an online exhibition on the 1st of this month and is being held in a hybrid format both online and offline at the International Convention Center in Seogwipo City, Jeju Island.

The ‘Outstanding Institution for Revitalizing Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts’ commendation is awarded to institutions that have excellently implemented government policies on traditional markets, actively cooperated and coexisted with merchant associations, and contributed to the revitalization of commercial districts. Jongno-gu became the fifth local government nationwide and the only one in Seoul to receive the Presidential Award, recognizing its efforts to date.

Jongno-gu has been promoting projects such as ‘Old Power Line Maintenance,’ ‘Sprinkler Installation and Replacement,’ and ‘Expansion of CCTV Installation’ to ensure that anyone can safely use local markets that have been the heart of Seoul for many years, including Gwangjang Market with a 120-year history, Tongin Market, Sinjin Market, and Dongdaemun General Market.

Recently, Dongmyo Market, which has emerged as a retro hotspot and experienced a surge in visitors, faced a shortage of restrooms. To address this, a large-scale public restroom was installed, greatly enhancing convenience for residents and tourists alike. Additionally, continuous attention has been given to facility improvements, such as repairing the market arcade roof that had leaks due to aging equipment.

Furthermore, Jongno-gu is implementing a ‘Specialized Market Development Project’ that reflects the district’s regional identity and utilizes its long-standing cultural and tourism resources. In 2021, Sejong Village Food Culture Street was selected as a cultural tourism market, and efforts such as online and live sales channel development, joint brand creation, street environment improvement, and consulting are underway. In 2022, Tongin Market was also selected as a target for the First Step Market Development Project, preparing for its leap to a cultural tourism market.

In addition, digital transformation projects for traditional markets are being promoted, including the introduction of online stores and the implementation of smart pilot shopping districts, to actively respond to the rapidly changing distribution environment and the shift in consumer purchasing patterns toward online due to COVID-19.

Next year, as part of Seoul’s traditional market facility modernization project, Jongno-gu has secured about 3 billion KRW in project funds?the second largest among Seoul’s autonomous districts?for replacing old power distribution equipment, repairing and renovating old arcades, painting and organizing building interiors, as well as 750 million KRW from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups for old power line maintenance. In total, related projects worth approximately 5 billion KRW will be carried out next year.

Kang Pil-young, Acting Mayor of Jongno-gu, said, “This Presidential Award is the result of the merchants’ active efforts to overcome the unprecedented economic downturn caused by COVID-19,” adding, “We will continue to support in every possible way so that citizens can safely use the various traditional markets, which are considered national representative markets of Korea and cultural heritage of Jongno, for a long time.”

Jongno-gu (Acting Mayor Kang Pil-young) presents an event to enjoy the winter atmosphere and experience our traditional culture on the occasion of ‘Dongji (Winter Solstice),’ the day with the longest night and shortest day of the year.

The event, titled ‘2021 Sangchonjae Seasonal Event - Dongji Seotdal,’ will be held at 10 a.m. on December 18 at the Hanok Cultural Space Sangchonjae (12-11 Jahamun-ro 17-gil).

The program includes tasting red bean porridge, making hand warmers using red beans?a seasonal ingredient symbolizing Dongji that helps with sleep and fatigue recovery?and a traditional ‘Dongji Heonmal’ (a custom of wearing new beoseon socks and stepping on the lengthening shadows of the sun after Dongji to wish for longevity) beoseon sock-making workshop led by Jo Kyung-sook, a designated holder of Seoul City Intangible Cultural Property No. 11, a master of needlework.

Additionally, attendees can enjoy the traditional fairy tale puppet show ‘Red Bean Porridge Grandma and the Tiger’ by the theater troupe ‘Seed’ and a magic show while sitting comfortably on warm ondol floors. There will also be winter play experiences such as making talismans to ward off bad luck and wish for good fortune in the new year, jegichagi (Korean shuttlecock kicking), and top spinning.

Applications are currently being accepted from Jongno-gu residents, and residents from other areas can apply on a first-come, first-served basis starting from the 6th.

For participation methods, tuition fees, and other details, please contact the Jongno Cultural Foundation or Sangchonjae directly, or refer to the Jongno Cultural Foundation website.

This event is planned as an in-person event in line with the phased return to normal life and will be conducted in compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

A district official said, “We recommend participating in this special time to encounter seasonal culture that is usually hard to experience,” adding, “Through this ‘Dongji Seotdal’ event, we hope all participating residents will experience various aspects of our traditional culture and arts and welcome the new year with joy and happiness.”

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