Seoul Jung-gu District Mayor Kim Gil-seong is actively taking care of the safety of traditional markets and the livelihood of the people ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Starting with Namdaemun Market, he plans to visit representative markets in the region, including Shinjungang Market, Hwanghak Market, Jungbu/Shinjungbu Market, and Yaksu Market Alley Shopping District, until the 21st to inspect the sites and check the trends of the local economy.
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[Korean Today] Jung-gu District Mayor Kim Gil-seong, All-out Inspection of Traditional Market Safety and People’s Livelihood Ahead of Lunar New Year © Reporter Ji Seung-ju |
In particular, the inspection of Namdaemun Market on the 13th focused on checking facilities for fire prevention. Namdaemun Market, which has 600 years of history, is in a situation where special management is necessary due to its old facilities and narrow alleys, which pose a high risk of fire. Accordingly, Jung-gu completed a fire vulnerability analysis of 40 traditional markets last year for the first time in the country, and based on this, it plans to install an additional 30 or so landfill-type emergency fire extinguishing equipment boxes using special grants from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety this year.
Enhance visitor convenience through fire prevention and facility improvements
Namdaemun Market currently has two underground fire fighting tanks, and plans are in place to add three more this year. Mayor Kim emphasized the dense nature of the market’s stores and warned, “Even a small fire can lead to major damage,” urging merchants to take thorough fire prevention measures.
He also personally inspected the arcade construction site currently underway on a 135m section of the market. Mayor Kim said, “With the installation of the arcade, visitors will be able to use the market more conveniently and pleasantly,” and requested thorough management and cooperation so that the construction can proceed safely until its completion in June.
The case of improving the market environment by turning a closed garbage dump in 2018 into a green space also received attention. The remaining idle underground space is scheduled to be transformed into a convenience facility through the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s architectural innovation project.
All-out effort to revitalize traditional markets through communication with merchants and residents
Moon Nam-yeop, the chairman of the Namdaemun Market Merchants Association, said, “I am grateful that the district head visited the site in person and carefully examined it,” and asked for continued interest and support. In response, District Head Kim said, “Traditional markets are the center of the local economy and culture,” and “We will create a safe and attractive market so that more residents and tourists can visit.”
Mayor Kim plans to continue safety inspections at Shinjungang Market, Hwanghak Market, Jungbu and Shinjungbu Markets, and Yaksu Market alley shopping districts until the 21st. Along with the inspections, he plans to visit the market directly, communicate with the merchants, and share ideas for revitalizing the local economy.
Meanwhile, each market has prepared various consumer events for the Lunar New Year holiday, such as Onnuri gift certificate refund events and holiday special sales, and the Jungbu and Shinjungbu markets are also holding a donation event to help neighbors.
All-out effort to ensure safety and welfare of citizens in preparation for the Lunar New Year holiday
Jung-gu is making multifaceted efforts to improve the safety and welfare of residents, including safety inspections of traditional markets as well as large-scale construction sites and checking on the well-being of vulnerable groups during the Lunar New Year holiday. Mayor Kim said, “We will do our best to create a traditional market that residents want to visit by cooperating with merchants so that they can have a happy Lunar New Year holiday.”
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