Jeju Seeks Solutions for Livelihood Economy 'On the Ground'

Governor Oh Younghoon to Visit Traditional Markets and Marts on the 23rd
Listening to Merchants' Difficulties... Discussing Measures for Price Stabilization

Jeonghun Oh, Governor of Jeju, visited the Jeju Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Jeju branch on the 23rd to check price trends and listen to the merchants' difficulties. Provided by Jeju Province

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has launched field-oriented solutions to stabilize the local economy, which is struggling with reduced consumption and rising prices during the year-end and New Year season.

On the morning of the 23rd, Governor Oh Younghun visited Donam Market and the Jeju branch of Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in succession to check price trends and listen to the difficulties faced by merchants.

At Donam Market, Governor Oh met with merchants to discuss ways to revitalize the market. Present at the site were Jeju Provincial Council member Han Dongsu, Donam Market Merchants Association President Kang Heekyung, and other related officials.

Donam Market, the only mixed-use traditional market in Jeju, features general goods, clothing, and tailoring shops on the first floor, and a shared kitchen in the basement with clustered stores selling agricultural, livestock, and marine products, as well as restaurants.

Governor Oh emphasized the need to expand online promotion through social networks (SNS) to attract younger generations, stating, "We will establish measures to connect offline stores with the online market."

The shared kitchen at Donam Market is regarded as a model case for revitalizing commercial districts. Governor Oh said, "The shared kitchen can contribute to revitalizing the local commercial district by creating a virtuous cycle where it purchases ingredients from the traditional market and sells to merchants and nearby residents," and requested, "Please consider utilizing idle spaces in other traditional markets as shared kitchens as well."

Regarding the merchants association's request to expand ventilation and sewage facilities for the shared kitchen, he replied, "We will review the proposal and prepare administrative support measures."

Next, at the Jeju branch of Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Jeju City, he checked the price trends of agricultural, marine, and livestock products and discussed various measures for price stabilization with Nonghyup officials.

The meeting was attended by Ko Bongju, head of Jeju City Nonghyup, Ko Wooil, head of Jeju Headquarters of Nonghyup Economic Holdings, and Ko Sunghyuk, manager of the Jeju branch of Hanaro Mart. Manager Ko Sunghyuk explained the price fluctuation trends of major agricultural, livestock, and marine products over the past three months.

Cabbage, radish, and green onions maintained high prices until mid-October but have stabilized since December. Apples remained at last year's levels, but open-field tangerines rose from 13,800 won to 18,900 won compared to December last year. Pears and tomatoes saw significant price increases due to supply shortages caused by abnormal weather.

Pork and beef, despite concerns over overall price increases, have maintained similar price levels to last year due to reduced consumption amid the recent economic downturn. On the other hand, seafood prices have risen due to decreased catches caused by changes in sea temperatures.

Governor Oh stated, "The overall price stabilization is not only due to the efforts of Jeju Province and Nonghyup but also the impact of the economic downturn," and added, "Please work to revitalize the local economy by promoting consumption."

He particularly pointed out the issue of high prices at some tourist destinations, emphasizing, "We will work with the Tourism Association and the Restaurant Association to establish measures to guide appropriate pricing at tourism businesses."

In addition, Governor Oh had lunch with related officials at 'Namhyun Sundae', a good price restaurant, to promote the use of such establishments.

Governor Oh said, "Good price restaurants maintain reasonable prices despite difficulties such as rising labor and ingredient costs," and encouraged public officials to actively use these establishments to boost year-end consumption.

There are 342 good price restaurants in the province, with 242 in Jeju City and 100 in Seogwipo City. As of December 1, Jeju Province completed the registration of 70 new establishments through its recruitment for the second half of 2024.

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