Preparing for the Opening of Gwangyang Jinsang 5-Day Market

Published 25 Apr.2023 16:46(KST)

Trial Operation Ahead of Opening Ceremony on May 8

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do announced that it will hold an opening ceremony on May 8 to complete the facility modernization project of Jinsang 5-Day Market, which lost its market functions due to heavy rain in 2009, and to restore its former glory.

Established in 1962, Jinsang 5-Day Market has played a pivotal role as a key driver of the local economy in the eastern part of the city. However, as a straight road was built on the outskirts of the township area, the market's commercial district gradually declined. In July 2009, heavy rain in the southern region caused flooding in the stores, resulting in the market losing almost all of its functions.

[Photo by Gwangyang City]

The city secured 100 million KRW in national funds in 2017 for the detailed design service to restore the market at the persistent request of Jinsang residents and to revitalize the local commercial district. Groundbreaking took place in 2021, and the construction of the arcade for street vendors was completed in March this year, ahead of the regular market opening.

Since its completion in October 2021, Jinsang 5-Day Market has confirmed operators for eight stores including restaurants, chicken shops, cafes, agricultural supplies, dried seafood, and rice cake shops, which are currently in operation.

The arcade-completed street vendor area consists of a total of 42 spots: 8 fish stalls and 34 street vendor spots. These will be operated on a trial basis by providing them to applicants on market days, with plans to select final tenants later. The city is currently recruiting street vendor operators with no restrictions on business types.

Before the official opening on May 8, the city will conduct two trial operations on April 28 and May 3 to continue the legacy of Jinsang 5-Day Market, which has been operated on the 3rd and 8th of each month.

Yang Seung-gi, chairman of the Jinsang 5-Day Market Promotion Committee, said, “To encourage participation from local residents, we are distributing market use coupons and providing meals to participating merchants, working together with social organizations in Jinsang-myeon to help restore the market’s former reputation.” He added, “We expect the opening of Jinsang 5-Day Market to revitalize the economy of the township area.”

Meanwhile, Gwangyang City operates three regular markets: ▲Gwangyang 5-Day Market (market days: 1st, 6th), ▲Okgok 5-Day Market (market days: 4th, 9th), and ▲Jinsang 5-Day Market (market days: 3rd, 8th), as well as three permanent markets: ▲Jungma Market, ▲Gwangyang Permanent Market, and ▲Gwangyang Daily Market (temporary market). The Gwangyang Daily Market is preparing for a new opening through a facility modernization project.