Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Merchant Association Join Forces to Revitalize Traditional Markets

Meeting Held in Mapo on the 17th... Minister Lee Young Attends
"Need for Merchant Association Incorporation" Also Raised

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that on the 17th, it held a meeting at Dream Square in Mapo, Seoul, with the National Federation of Merchants to listen to on-site difficulties of traditional markets and discuss revitalization measures.

The Cheongnyangni General Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul is bustling with citizens. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The meeting was attended by Minister Lee Young of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Jeong Dong-sik, President of the National Federation of Merchants, heads of 17 city and provincial branches, and the Vice President of the Small Enterprise and Market Service.

At the meeting, President Jeong argued that to develop traditional markets into corporate-type markets, it is necessary to incorporate the merchants' associations, which are the operating entities. Various opinions were also raised, including support for the construction of merchants' halls, expansion of markets participating in discount events for agricultural, livestock, and marine products to promote consumption, and strengthening crackdowns on the illegal distribution of Onnuri gift certificates.

In response, Minister Lee said, "We will carefully review the various opinions raised at the meeting and reflect them in policies, and we will cooperate with local governments and related organizations to resolve the suggestions as much as possible."

The attendees agreed on the need for education and infrastructure support for market merchants entering online platforms and expanding the influx of capable young people into traditional markets to revitalize them. They also discussed the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' plan to establish 'Lighthouse Markets' (models of digital traditional markets) within the year and ways to strengthen cooperation with private large corporations, including specialized delivery and online platforms.

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