Songpa-gu Garak Mall 'Golmokhyeong Sangjeomga' Rapidly Designated to Boost Consumption Before Chuseok

Designation of 'Garak Mall Alley-type Shopping District' Accepting Onnuri Gift Certificates for Seafood Industry and Merchant Association Registration
Promotion of Designation Ceremony on the 13th... Onnuri Gift Certificate Refund Event Returning 30% of Spent Amount

“With the combined efforts of Songpa-gu and everyone, we were able to swiftly proceed with the designation of Garak Mall Alley-type Shopping District before the holiday peak season. I sincerely hope that the Onnuri Gift Certificates will help the struggling fisheries industry.”

This was the greeting delivered by Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, at the designation ceremony of the ‘Garak Mall Alley-type Shopping District’ held on the 13th. On that day, Mayor Seo congratulated the new start of Garak Mall (932 Yangjae-daero) by presenting the merchant association registration certificate and designation certificate in the presence of guests including the merchant association president and officials from the Agro-Fisheries & Food Corporation.

Prior to the event, on August 31, the district completed the registration of the ‘Garak Mall Alley-type Shopping District Merchant Association,’ and officially designated the ‘Garak Mall Alley-type Shopping District’ on September 12.

The ‘Garak Mall Alley-type Shopping District’ is a large-scale comprehensive agricultural and marine products market formed within Garak Market. Until now, it had not been designated as a traditional market or shopping district, making the use of Onnuri Gift Certificates impossible. Furthermore, consumer sentiment had been greatly dampened recently due to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, exacerbating the difficulties faced by merchants.

In response, Garak Mall merchants sought to revitalize the market trade area before the Chuseok peak season and enable the use of Onnuri Gift Certificates by obtaining consent from 66.2% (606 stores) of merchants and applied for the registration of the merchant association to designate the ‘Garak Mall Alley-type Shopping District.’ The district also closely coordinated with central government agencies with the goal of designation, ultimately completing the final designation.

On the day of the designation ceremony, a merchant who met Mayor Seo Gang-seok at the seafood market expressed gratitude, saying, “With this alley-type shopping district designation, Onnuri Gift Certificates can now be used at Garak Market, attracting many consumers who come and buy a lot.”

Additionally, on August 30, Mayor Seo visited Garak Mall to encourage the fisheries industry, which had been depressed due to the contaminated water discharge, and emphasized the safety of seafood. During a luncheon with representatives of the merchant association, he shared a meal of raw fish and clear soup, taking time to listen to the difficulties merchants faced due to reduced consumption.

Mayor Seo Gang-seok of Songpa-gu stated, “I express my gratitude to the merchants and officials who made self-initiated efforts to form the merchant association despite many difficulties,” and added, “With this Onnuri Gift Certificate membership registration as an opportunity, the district and Garak Market will cooperate more closely to revitalize the local economy.”

Meanwhile, at Garak Mall, an Onnuri Gift Certificate rebate event is underway until the end of the year, where 30% of the amount spent before the Chuseok holiday is returned as Onnuri Gift Certificates (up to 20,000 KRW), expected to bring vitality to the depressed seafood market.

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