Gwangyang Steelworks Supports Small Merchants by Visiting Traditional Markets for Lunar New Year Holiday

Leading the Promotion of Traditional Market Use through Consumer Stimulation Activities

Listening to Small Business Owners' Difficulties

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks (Director Lee Jin-su) visited the Gwangyang 5-Day Market on the 16th together with Gwangyang City and the Gwangyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry to support local small business owners and revitalize the local economy.

The event was attended by Jeong In-hwa, Mayor of Gwangyang, Lee Jin-su, Director of Gwangyang Steelworks, Lee Cheol-ho, Deputy Director of Gwangyang Steelworks, Lee Baek-gu, Chairman of the Gwangyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kang Geum-ho, Director of Gwangyang City Economic Welfare Bureau, and other officials.

The traditional market livelihood visit is an event held by Gwangyang Steelworks, Gwangyang City, and the Gwangyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry before the Korean Lunar New Year holiday, Seollal, to visit traditional markets, directly observe the real economy, and encourage merchants facing difficulties.

Gwangyang Steelworks, together with the Gwangyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, visited the traditional market to support small business owners for the Lunar New Year.
Photo by Gwangyang Steelworks

Participants in the event carried pre-prepared shopping bags and purchased ingredients needed for Seollal. They also enjoyed the market’s unique snacks, leading efforts to spread the festive atmosphere and promote the use of traditional markets.

The Gwangyang 5-Day Market was filled with merchants bargaining with buyers, and visitors enjoying steamed buns, fish cakes, and hotteok while chatting, bringing a rare liveliness ahead of the Seollal holiday.

Director Lee Jin-su of Gwangyang Steelworks, along with Mayor Jeong In-hwa and Chairman Lee Baek-gu of the Gwangyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, toured various parts of the market, participated in shopping for daily necessities and local agricultural products, and listened attentively to the difficulties faced by small business owners, taking time to observe and hear about the real economy.

In particular, this traditional market shopping event holds significant meaning as it revitalized consumption activities in traditional markets where the holiday sales boom has become a thing of the past due to COVID-19, prolonged economic downturn, and changes in the distribution environment.

Merchants said, “Due to the recent economic difficulties and changes in the times, the number of visitors to traditional markets has greatly decreased, but the visit from Gwangyang Steelworks and Gwangyang City seems to have brought vitality back to the market after a long time,” adding, “We hope this year’s holiday will be more vibrant than last year.”

Director Lee Jin-su of Gwangyang Steelworks said, “Traditional markets are a reliable partner supporting citizens’ lives and a space where people can feel the warmth of human connection,” and added, “We will continue to visit frequently to help further activate traditional markets.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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