Eliminating Price Gouging and Expanding Card Payments... Eleven Traditional Markets to Be Developed as Tourist Destinations

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Selects Second Phase of 'K-Tourism Market'

Mangwon, Haeundae, Seomun, Jeonju Nambu, and Jeju Dongmun Traditional Markets Chosen

The government is aiming to transform traditional markets, which have long struggled with chronic issues such as price gouging, inconvenient payment processes, and unfriendly service, into leading regional tourist attractions. Eleven traditional markets will launch service innovation initiatives focused on fixed pricing, card payments, cleanliness and hygiene, and customer friendliness.

Mangwon Market in Mapo-gu, Seoul is bustling with visitors. Photo by Yonhap News

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on May 14 that, together with the Korea Tourism Organization, it has selected 11 locations for the second phase of the 'K-Tourism Market' project. The selected sites are Mangwon Market and Gyeongdong Market in Seoul, Haeundae Market in Busan, Seomun Market in Daegu, Sinpo International Market in Incheon, Suwon Nammun Market in Gyeonggi Province, Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market in Gangwon Province, Danyang Gugyeong Market in North Chungcheong Province, Jeonju Nambu Market in North Jeolla Province, Andong Old Market Association in North Gyeongsang Province, and Dongmun Traditional Market in Jeju.

On this day, the Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization will hold a launch ceremony for the 'K-Tourism Market Smile Campaign' at Mangwon Market in Seoul. The event will be attended by over 50 participants, including officials from the ministry and the tourism organization, representatives from the second-phase market merchant associations, young merchants, campaign ambassadors, and international promotion teams. The heads of the merchant associations from the 11 markets will sign a joint declaration, pledging innovation in four key service areas: fixed pricing, card payments, cleanliness and hygiene, and customer friendliness.

The 'K-Tourism Market' project aims to develop traditional markets as local tourism content. Since 2023, the Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization have been supporting selected markets for a two-year period. The second phase of the project focuses on transforming traditional markets into tourist destinations where foreign visitors can experience 'K-Food' and 'K-Culture'.

The program will also leverage the unique characteristics of each market. Mangwon Market will be developed as a global market linked to Han River picnics and Mangridan-gil tours. Haeundae Market will be promoted as a K-gastronomy themed market, combined with Haeundae Beach and night food tours. Seomun Market in Daegu will link its night market with modern alleyway tours, Jeonju Nambu Market will offer content such as Hanok Village, Youth Mall, and night market, and Dongmun Traditional Market in Jeju will be connected with local food and night tourism offerings.

During the launch event, there will also be a demonstration themed 'Shopping at the Market, Picnicking at the Han River.' Participants will shop at Mangwon Market, then travel by the Mapo Circular Train Bus to Mangwon Hangang Park to enjoy a picnic. The event will also promote eco-friendly picnic culture by utilizing reusable containers supported by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.

Kang Dongjin, Director of Tourism Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "This Smile Campaign is more than just a slogan; it will mark a turning point in improving the image of traditional markets through the voluntary participation and actions of the merchants. We will continue to support traditional markets so that they become essential tourist destinations where people can vividly experience K-Culture and K-Food, contributing to the vitalization of the domestic economy."

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