Minister Oh Young-joo Listens to Livelihood Issues and Encourages Merchants Ahead of Seol Holiday

by Kim Chulhyun

Published 23 Jan.2025 15:53(KST)

Visiting Yeonseo Market in Seoul

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that Minister Oh Young-joo visited Yeonseo Market located in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, two days before the Lunar New Year holiday on the 23rd to check the price trends of Lunar New Year seasonal products and the livelihood issues of merchants, as well as to inspect fire safety response measures.

Since the 7th, the Ministry has been visiting various traditional markets and small business districts, starting with the Muan Traditional Market in Jeollanam-do, followed by the Gongsanseong Alley Shopping District in Gongju, Chungnam, the Sinyeong Market in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, and the Taepyeong Market in Daejeon, listening to the diverse issues faced by small business owners and traditional market merchants.

Minister Oh Young-joo of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups visited Yeonseo Market in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul on the 23rd, shopping and conversing with merchants. Photo by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Seoul’s Yeonseo Market, established in 1963, is a representative market of Eunpyeong-gu, located around Yeonsinnae Station on Line 3, at the center of the Eunpyeong-gu commercial district, making it highly accessible. It is well-known not only among local residents but also many others for its variety of food offerings.

On this day, Minister Oh shared lunch with merchants in the market’s food alley and listened to their difficulties. Minister Oh said, “I understand that merchants are particularly struggling due to the prolonged contraction of consumer sentiment, and the government is making every effort to utilize all available policy measures to ensure that traditional markets are bustling with people during the Lunar New Year holiday.”

The government is conducting special discount and refund events for digital Onnuri gift certificates to alleviate the burden of holiday shopping prices during the extended Lunar New Year holiday period. From the 23rd to the 27th, a focused refund event for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products will be held. Additionally, purchases made at traditional markets are eligible for a 40% income tax deduction benefit.