Gwangju Launches Relocation and Modernization of Aging Gakhwa-dong Agricultural Wholesale Market

Briefing Held on the 15th: Gathering Input from Distribution Workers and Citizens
Relocation Site to Be Finalized by December This Year
Honam's Largest Logistics Hub to Be Established... Completion Targeted for 2036

Kang Gi-jung, mayor of Gwangju, is explaining the project promotion direction at the 'Gakhwa-dong Agricultural Wholesale Market Facility Modernization Briefing' held on the 15th at the multipurpose auditorium of the Sihwa Cultural Village Community Center in Gakhwa-dong, Buk-gu. Provided by Gwangju City

The city of Gwangju will proceed with the relocation and modernization of the Gakhwa-dong Agricultural Wholesale Market in Buk-gu, which has been in operation for 34 years. By the end of this year, the city will finalize the candidate site for relocation, and aims to begin construction in 2031, with completion targeted for 2036, implementing the project in phases.

On the 15th, Gwangju City held the 'Gakhwa-dong Agricultural Wholesale Market Facility Modernization Briefing' at the Sihwa Cultural Village Community Center in Buk-gu, attended by over 200 people, including distribution workers, local residents, and nearby merchants. During the briefing, the city shared with citizens the necessity of relocation due to aging facilities, the results of the facility modernization study, and future plans for the project.

Since its opening in 1991, the Gakhwa-dong Agricultural Wholesale Market has played a central role in the distribution of agricultural products throughout Gwangju and the Honam region, including South Jeolla and North Jeolla Provinces. As of last year, it handled 220,367 tons of transactions, ranking 8th among 32 wholesale markets nationwide, solidifying its status as a key hub for agricultural distribution in the southwest region.

However, over the 34 years since its opening, the market has operated without any major expansion or renovation, resulting in severe facility deterioration. The limited parking space and high land and building utilization rates are among the highest in the country, leading to reduced competitiveness and ongoing complaints from nearby residents about their living environment. Attendees at the briefing raised concerns about safety issues caused by outdated facilities and called for the relocation to be expedited.

The newly developed wholesale market will pursue the vision of becoming the 'largest agricultural distribution and logistics hub in the Honam region,' with a focus on strengthening wholesale functions, improving the logistics system, and revitalizing the local economy. In particular, the city plans to actively respond to the rapidly changing online wholesale market, build a high value-added logistics system, and introduce a system that integrates bulk purchasing of food ingredients and the distribution of local food products.

The city plans to finalize the relocation candidate site by December this year. Starting next year, it will undergo local finance procedures and project plan reviews, and then apply for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ 'Public Wholesale Market Facility Modernization Project.' If the project passes the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the central investment review by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, land compensation and groundbreaking will begin in 2031, with phased implementation aiming for completion in 2036. Beginning with this briefing, the city will hold two more rounds of public opinion gathering from residents.

Separately from the relocation project, the city formed a dedicated distribution improvement task force, including wholesale market corporations, this month to address urgent issues such as parking shortages, odor reduction, and the need for cold storage facilities.

At the briefing, Mayor Kang Gi-jung stated, "Thanks to the farmers and wholesale market distribution workers who have endured inconveniences and supported the market, the distribution of local food has been sustained. We will reflect the various opinions gathered on site and push forward with the facility modernization quickly and smoothly."

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