Seongdong-gu's Traditional Market Lunar New Year Festival Filled with Events

Various festive events such as Onnuri gift certificate payback campaigns and lucky pouch giveaways enrich traditional markets for the Lunar New Year

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, embarks on a 7-day traditional market livelihood tour from the 11th to the 19th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it will hold various Lunar New Year events at traditional markets in the district from the 13th to the 20th of this month.

In 10 traditional markets and shopping districts within Seongdong-gu, festive events will be held for eight days starting from the 13th to revitalize traditional markets struggling due to the economic downturn and to ease the burden on residents preparing ancestral rites.

Each market will hold various events such as ▲Onnuri gift certificate payback campaigns based on purchase amounts (e.g., a 5,000 KRW voucher for purchases over 30,000 KRW) ▲gift giveaways through lucky pouch events ▲receipt roulette events for Lunar New Year purchases.

On the 13th, events will be held at Hanyang University front, Wangsimni Doseondong shopping district, and Seongsu Station alley shopping district; from the 16th, at Geumnam Market, Majang Livestock Market, and Wangsimni Muhakbong shopping district, with Onnuri gift certificate giveaways or lucky pouch events based on purchase amounts. From the 17th, events continue at Haengdang Market; on the 18th at Ttukseom Station; and on the 19th at Yongdap Shopping Market and Ttukdo Market with receipt roulette or payback events.

The events are scheduled differently by market to encourage residents to visit multiple traditional markets. Additionally, from the 18th to the 25th, parking allowances around traditional markets will be expanded. For more details, inquiries can be made to each market’s merchant association or the local economic department.

Furthermore, Mayor Jung Won-oh will visit 12 traditional markets and shopping districts in the area from the 11th to the 19th to encourage merchants and listen to their concerns. Starting with visits to Singeumho Station alley shopping district and Geumnam Market on the 11th, he plans to continue communication with local residents who use traditional markets.

Mayor Jung said, “I understand that local businesses are unstable due to COVID-19 and sluggish economic conditions, and many are struggling with rising prices. I hope these festive events help revitalize the local economy, and I will continue to listen carefully to merchants’ voices and actively reflect them in district policies.”

Seongbuk-gu holds ‘2023 Traditional Market Lunar New Year Events’ at six traditional markets

5-10% discounts on Lunar New Year ritual items

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) has prepared the ‘2023 Traditional Market Lunar New Year Events’ to attract consumers ahead of the Lunar New Year. The events will be held from the 16th to the 20th at six traditional markets in Seongbuk-gu: Donam Market, Gireum Market, Dolgoji Market, Jeongneung Market, Jeongneung Arirang Market, and Jangwi Traditional Market.

A district official explained, “This event is being promoted to revitalize traditional markets struggling due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, and to ease the shopping burden for consumers preparing for the holiday.”

The events include ▲5-10% discounts on ritual items such as agricultural and marine products, livestock products, and fruits ▲gift giveaways or Onnuri gift certificates for purchases over a certain amount. Customers who submit receipts showing purchases over a certain amount at each market’s customer service center or designated locations can receive Onnuri gift certificates or prizes on a first-come, first-served basis.

Event periods and specific benefits vary by market, so detailed information can be obtained from each market or the Seongbuk-gu local economic department.

To ensure safe visits during the holiday preparations, quarantine measures will be strengthened. Each traditional market’s merchant association is thoroughly managing COVID-19 prevention by conducting disinfection and providing hand sanitizers, and the district will inspect compliance with quarantine rules on-site to ensure residents’ safety.

Park Pil-gyu, chairman of the Dolgoji Market Merchant Association, said, “We have prepared various discounts, Onnuri gift certificates, and prize giveaways for residents visiting the market for holiday preparations. We are also doing our best to maintain quarantine so visitors can come without worry about COVID-19 infection. Please visit the market often and have a joyful Lunar New Year.”

Starting from the 16th, the Seongbuk-gu mayor and market merchant associations will visit traditional markets in the area to check prices and listen to merchants’ voices on-site.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro said, “I hope this event brings vitality to the markets and that merchants and residents enjoy a warm holiday atmosphere. Despite the ongoing recession making the local economy very difficult, we will devise various support measures so that traditional markets can become more competitive and revitalized in the new year of the Rabbit.”

Meanwhile, Seongbuk-gu will ease parking enforcement around traditional markets from the 18th to the 24th to encourage market visits during the holiday and facilitate smooth traffic flow, focusing on guidance and relocation rather than strict penalties.

Gwangjin-gu holds prize giveaway event at five local traditional markets from the 16th to the 21st for purchases over a certain amount

At Junggokjeil, Yeongdonggyo, Norunsan, Neungdong-ro, and Myeongok Alley Markets... Event ends when prizes run out

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) will hold a ‘Traditional Market Prize Giveaway Event’ from the 16th to the 21st in celebration of the Lunar New Year, a major traditional holiday.

This event to revitalize traditional markets will be held at five local traditional markets: Junggokjeil Market, Yeongdonggyo Market, Norunsan Market, Neungdong-ro Market, and Myeongok Alley Market. These markets will sell ritual items at discounted prices and give prizes to customers who purchase over a certain amount.

Junggokjeil Market and Norunsan Market will start from the 16th, while Neungdong-ro Market and Myeongok Alley Market will start from the 18th, giving Onnuri gift certificates worth 5,000 KRW to customers who purchase over 30,000 KRW. At Myeongok Alley Market, customers must present their purchase receipts to receive the gift certificates.

Yeongdonggyo Market will give towels printed with the market logo to customers who purchase over 10,000 KRW starting from the 16th, as a token of appreciation for using the market. The events at the five markets will end once prizes are exhausted, regardless of the event period.

Junggokjeil Market and Jayang Traditional Market also offer delivery services for customers living in or near the district. Customers who want delivery can place orders by phone with each market’s merchant association (Junggokjeil Market, Jayang Traditional Market) and receive goods directly at home.

Additionally, the district plans to conduct daily disinfection during the Lunar New Year holiday to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19, anticipating many visitors to traditional markets.

Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said, “Along with the prize giveaway event, traditional markets offer the advantage of purchasing quality ritual items at affordable prices. I hope everyone enjoys a prosperous Lunar New Year with our warm traditional markets.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Kim and other district officials plan to visit traditional markets during the Lunar New Year to encourage merchants and participate in revitalizing traditional markets.

Dongdaemun-gu plans ‘Traditional Market Lunar New Year Events’ from the 13th to the 24th to ease residents’ shopping burdens

Eight traditional markets including Gyeongdong Market participate with various ritual item discounts and prize events

Eight traditional markets in Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) will hold various events from the 13th to the 24th in preparation for the upcoming Lunar New Year.

The ‘Traditional Market Lunar New Year Events’ were planned to revitalize traditional markets during the holiday season and to ease the burden on residents struggling due to COVID-19 and the economic downturn.

The eight participating markets are Gyeongdong Market, Dapsimni Building Materials Market, Dapsimni Market, Seoul Yakryeong Market, Jeonnong Rotary Market, Cheongnyangni Traditional Market, Cheongnyangni Fruit and Vegetable Market, and Cheongnyangni Wholesale Market. Each market will hold special events such as ritual item discounts and prize draws.

Gyeongdong Market and Cheongnyangni Fruit and Vegetable Market will offer discounts of up to 20% on ritual items. Cheongnyangni Wholesale Market will sell holiday gift sets, industrial products, and vegetables at 30-50% discounts.

Dapsimni Market and Seoul Yakryeong Market will hold payback events where Onnuri gift certificates are given for purchases over a certain amount to reduce residents’ burdens.

There will also be abundant prize giveaways for customers shopping at the markets. Customers who purchase goods at Gyeongdong Market, Dapsimni Building Materials Market, Seoul Yakryeong Market, Jeonnong Rotary Market, Cheongnyangni Traditional Market, and Cheongnyangni Fruit and Vegetable Market can enter draws to win various prizes.

Mayor Lee Pil-hyung said, “With high exchange rates, high interest rates, and high prices, the economic situation felt by residents has become more difficult and heavy. I hope the traditional market Lunar New Year events will ease the holiday table preparation burden for residents and that both merchants and residents have a warmer Lunar New Year.”

The mayor plans to visit 14 traditional markets in the district from the 16th to the 18th to check safety conditions and exchange holiday greetings with merchants and residents.

Seongbuk-gu Traditional Market Merchants Association’s sharing activities continue for 7 years since 2016

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) Traditional Market Merchants Association (Chairman Park Pil-gyu) visited Seongbuk-gu Office on the 12th and donated 2 million KRW as a ‘Warm Winter Fund.’

This warm sharing activity by the Seongbuk-gu Traditional Market Merchants Association has continued for seven years. Since 2016, all proceeds from the annual ‘Seongbuk-gu Traditional Market Festival’ have been donated to help neighbors in need. From 2020 to last year, when holding the event became difficult due to the spread of COVID-19, members have continued their warm sharing by pooling their contributions separately.

Chairman Park Pil-gyu said while delivering the donation, “The district’s great support for revitalizing traditional markets every year has been a big help for our markets to overcome the economic downturn. It seems that more neighbors are struggling due to COVID-19 and the recession. The association members wanted to give back a little to Seongbuk-gu and local residents with this donation.”

Mayor Lee Seung-ro responded, “Knowing well the difficulties faced by traditional markets due to the recession, I am deeply impressed to see the merchants association practicing sharing without fail again this year. During the height of COVID-19, merchants led local quarantine efforts, and at year-end and New Year, they donated for neighbors. Their warm hearts melt the winter cold. The donated funds will be used carefully for neighbors in need in our area, and we will strive even more to revitalize traditional markets.”

Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eun-seok) will conduct guidance and inspections of local Lunar New Year food products, including seasonal foods, at food manufacturing and sales businesses and livestock product handling establishments until January 17.

This inspection targets 298 establishments such as instant food manufacturing and processing businesses, livestock product handling establishments, and health functional food sales businesses, which see high consumption of rice cakes and other seasonal foods during the Lunar New Year. Sampling tests will also be conducted to ensure the safety of distributed foods.

Main inspection items include ▲storage and sale of expired products ▲hygienic handling of food ▲compliance by business operators ▲adherence to livestock traceability system ▲violations such as mislabeling Hanwoo beef.

Instant food manufacturing and processing businesses in large marts frequently used by residents will undergo ATP (adenosine triphosphate) contamination tests, allowing business operators to check results on-site, and guidance on hygienic food handling will be provided. ATP testing involves swabbing surfaces such as knives and cutting boards, reacting with reagents, and measuring contamination levels including bacteria using a detector.

Sampling tests will also be conducted on seasonal foods and popular gift items such as livestock products and health functional foods. Minor violations found during inspections will be corrected on-site, while serious violations will be dealt with according to relevant regulations. Immediate administrative action will be taken if test results are unsatisfactory.

Mayor Oh Eun-seok said, “Ahead of the nation’s biggest holiday, the Lunar New Year, we will strengthen hygiene management of seasonal and gift foods with high consumption, and through winter food poisoning prevention campaigns, we will do our best to create an environment where residents can shop safely.”

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