"Regional Economic Recovery Expected" ... Changwon Special City Revitalizes Traditional Market with Masan Fish Market Festival

by Song Jonggu

Published 31 Aug.2025 12:23(KST)

A Three-Day Festival of Food and Entertainment

Changwon Special City successfully held the opening ceremony of the 24th Masan Fish Market Festival on a special stage at the Masan Fish Market Customer Support Center.

Changwon Special City, 24th Masan Fish Market Festival Opens.

The opening ceremony, held on August 29, began with a fusion Korean traditional music performance. The event was attended by key figures including Jang Geumyong, acting mayor of Changwon Special City, local members of the National Assembly, city and provincial council members, as well as approximately 1,000 citizens and tourists. The subsequent congratulatory performances and cultural events filled Masan Fish Market with a festive atmosphere.

The Masan Fish Market Festival is a signature local food event that wishes for a bountiful catch of Masan’s representative seafood, such as gizzard shad, and allows visitors to enjoy fresh seafood at affordable prices. Hosted and organized by the Masan Fish Market Merchants Association, the three-day festival features a variety of events throughout the market, including on-the-spot auctions, performances by local singers, and hands-on experience programs.

Cheon Taemun, president of the Masan Fish Market Merchants Association, remarked, “There’s a saying, ‘In autumn, sesame seeds fill a bowl on top of a gizzard shad’s head,’ highlighting just how delicious gizzard shad sashimi and grilled gizzard shad are. This year, with around 5,000 visitors, the market has regained its vibrancy.”

Jang Geumyong, acting mayor of Changwon Special City, stated, “Masan Fish Market is more than just a traditional market; it is a space imbued with the lives and history of local residents. I hope that through this festival, both citizens and tourists will rediscover the charm of traditional markets.”

Meanwhile, the Masan Fish Market Festival is recognized as an event led by merchants and residents, praised for embodying the identity and solidarity of the local community. In particular, it has played an important role in raising public awareness of local seafood and promoting its consumption.