Mudeungsan Watermelon Cooperative Direct Market Reopens After 20 Years of Renovation, Official Opening on the 22nd

Opening Ceremony on August 21 Marks Start of Sales for Over 2,300 Watermelons
Buk-gu and Gwangju City Renovate Facilities, Boosting Consumer Demand

The Mudeungsan Watermelon Cooperative Direct Market in Buk-gu, Gwangju is reopening with a new look after completing renovations for the first time in 20 years.

Farmers are carrying watermelons harvested from Mudeungsan in their arms. Photo by Bukgu

On August 21 at 11 a.m., an opening ceremony will be held at the Mudeungsan Watermelon Cooperative Direct Market located at 261 Songgang-ro, hosted by the Mudeungsan Watermelon Producers Association. The event aims to celebrate the successful shipment of this year's Mudeungsan watermelons and to announce the reopening of the renovated direct market.

About 30 people, including Buk-gu Mayor Moon In and local farmers, will attend the event, which will proceed in the following order: a report on production and shipment status, a briefing on the renovation process, the presentation of appreciation plaques, a ritual wishing for successful shipments, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The cooperative direct market, which was completed in July 2005, required renovations due to aging facilities. Buk-gu, in cooperation with Gwangju City, has refurbished the office, restrooms, ceiling, and walls. The official opening is scheduled for August 22, and the market will operate until mid-October. This year, approximately 2,300 Mudeungsan watermelons grown by seven farms will be sold.

Kim Younggi, head of the association, said, "Seeing the newly renovated direct market, I feel confident that this year's shipments will be a great success. I would like to thank Buk-gu and Gwangju City for their support."

Buk-gu plans to further promote Mudeungsan watermelons by installing a juice extraction facility at the direct market and selling both watermelons and fresh juice. Mayor Moon stated, "Mudeungsan watermelon is a representative specialty of Gwangju, with its history and tradition being preserved. We will continue to support it so it can become a leading fruit representing Korea."

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