The 16th Maponaru Saeujeot Festival Sees Increased Sales (↑) and Reduced Trash (↓)

Record Sales of 2.15 Billion KRW Over 3 Days Including Local Agricultural and Marine Products Market from 20th to 22nd, 450 Million KRW Increase from Last Year... Mapo-gu's Largest Festival Uses 204,000 Reusable Containers Instead of Disposable Items, Significantly Reducing Incinerated Waste... Children's Air Bounce and Viking Ride Fees, and Sharing Market Proceeds Donated to Needy Neighbors via Mapo Welfare Foundation... Mayor Park Gang-su Praises Festival as a Celebration for 370,000 Mapo Residents and a Commitment to Waste Reduction

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo District (center), is making kimchi with foreigners.

The 16th Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival, held from the 20th to the 22nd at the Peace Plaza area of Seoul World Cup Park, successfully concluded as a representative festival of Seoul ahead of the kimchi-making season.

Starting with the catchy slogan "Delicious Shrimp, Enjoy Shrimp, Welcome Shrimp," this year's Salted Shrimp Festival was the first in Mapo-gu to adopt an eco-friendly operation method using reusable containers at the food market during the festival period, making the event even more meaningful.

■ No Single-Use Items at All Food Markets! Over 204,000 Reusable Containers Used in 3 Days

During the three days of the festival, not only plates and cups but also spoons and chopsticks were all reusable tableware. The used reusable items were safely cleaned and sterilized by a professional company for reuse.

A resident of Seongsan 2-dong who experienced the food market said, "I was worried because they were reusable containers, but they looked better and I think it was the right choice for the environment."

During the festival, Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, along with about 10 employees from the Mapo-gu Facilities Management Corporation, regularly inspected the entire festival site, including the food market and mobile food trucks, to check for any use of single-use items. They also ensured that the food markets maintained fixed pricing to prevent overcharging.

The district estimated that a total of 204,000 reusable containers were used over the three days. A representative from the Mapo-gu Facilities Management Corporation, responsible for waste collection at the food market, stated, "Compared to previous years, the daily collection volume of household waste has significantly decreased, and the use of reusable containers seems to have played a major role."

Return of reusable tableware

■ Salted Shrimp from 6 Famous Production Areas, 43 Local Specialty and Food Market Booths, Sales Revenue of 2.15 Billion KRW

Despite the sudden chilly weather, the 43 booths, including those selling salted shrimp, recorded total sales of 2.15 billion KRW, an increase of 450 million KRW compared to last year.

At the salted shrimp market, eight companies from six famous production areas nationwide?Gang-gyeong, Gwangcheon, Boryeong, Sinan, Buan, and Sorae?participated, selling about 700 million KRW worth of salted shrimp.

After thorough origin inspections, the salted shrimp were prepared at prices 10-15% lower than the average market price. Premium salted shrimp (yukjeot) were traded at around 50,000 KRW per kg, ojeot at 30,000 KRW, and chujeot, mainly used for kimchi-making, at about 15,000 KRW per kg.

▲Incheon Ongjin ▲Jeonbuk Gochang ▲Gyeongbuk Yecheon ▲Chungnam Cheongyang ▲Jeonnam Wando ▲Gyeongnam Namhae-gun, among 19 regions nationwide, participated to sell local specialties such as fruits, grains, seaweed, sauces, and dried seafood. These 19 direct-trade market booths earned 800 million KRW, while 11 food market booths and 5 food trucks earned 650 million KRW in profits.

Children enjoying the air bounce

■ Giant Air Bounce & Viking, Red Road Hot Pocha, Expanded Sharing Market... A Festival Combining Fun and Sharing

The giant air bounce and Viking, installed for the first time this year near the waterside stage's children's playground, received explosive love from family visitors throughout the three days. The children's soccer playground, featuring singer Kim Heung-guk and former national soccer player Jo Won-hee, was filled with the laughter of children enjoying soccer under clear weather.

Especially this year, the sharing market expanded with events such as the Sharing Plogging Contest, Sharing Flea Market, and Sharing Bazaar. The proceeds from the sharing market will be used by the Mapo Welfare Foundation to help neighbors in need, spreading warm sharing spirit in the local community.

Famous singers performed continuously for three days, including the 'Red Road Hot Pocha' karaoke where residents proudly showcased their talents. On the opening day, the 'Good Concert with D’LIVE' featured ▲Navi ▲An So-mi ▲Norazo ▲Park Kang-sung ▲Seven Us, and on the following day, 'TV Chosun’s Singing Korea' presented performances by singers ▲Tae Jin-ah ▲Kang Jin ▲Yoo Ji-na ▲Choi Jin-hee.

At the closing ceremony on the 22nd, 'TBS Sweet Rendezvous - Autumn, To You' featured singers ▲Son Tae-jin ▲Shin Sung ▲Enoch ▲Park Ki-young ▲Byun Jin-sub ▲Kim Hyun-soo, warming the chilly autumn evening. Following this, the spirited janggu rhythms of 'Janggu Master' Park Seo-jin and a spectacular fireworks display grandly concluded the Salted Shrimp Festival.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "This year’s Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival was not only a joyful festival where Mapo residents united to celebrate but also a meaningful event reflecting Mapo-gu’s commitment to actively addressing the global waste disposal issue. Operating the largest festival in Mapo without single-use items was not easy, but we plan to carefully identify and improve areas to ensure that zero single-use festivals can smoothly take root in Mapo in the future."

He continued, "I am very grateful to the residents of Mapo-gu who helped the Mapo Naru Salted Shrimp Festival conclude successfully without accidents over the three days and actively participated in Mapo-gu’s efforts to reduce incineration waste. We will work hard to prepare an even more substantial festival next year."

Food Market Implementing Fixed Price System

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