[Photo] Tension Instead of Bustle... Gogae Market Before the Typhoon Feels Gloomy

Typhoon Hinnamnor before landing at Hwagae Market, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam. / Photo by Jonggu Song jgsong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Jonggu Song and Seryeong Lee] Tension is looming over Hwagae Market in Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam, which should be bustling with activity ahead of the Chuseok peak season.

Merchants are reminded of past flood damage due to the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast that the super typhoon Hinnamnor will directly hit the Gyeongnam area.

Hwagae Market suffered damage in August 2020 when all 107 stores were submerged due to heavy rain and consecutive typhoons.

Merchants appeared anxious, worried that the water from the Seomjin River and heavy rain caused by Hinnamnor would flood the market again.

The market, which should be crowded with customers shopping for Chuseok, has relatively lost its vitality due to the impact of COVID-19, and merchants who would normally loudly promote their products were swallowing dry saliva while watching the dark clouds gather in the sky.

In the somewhat quiet market, merchants clasped their hands together, saying, "We hope it passes safely, and that our place won't be swept away again."

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