ICHEON — Mayor Sung Soo-seok visited traditional markets across the city ahead of the Chuseok holiday to check on conditions facing merchants and shoppers, the Icheon city government said on the 22nd.
Sung visited Janghowon Traditional Market on the 19th, where he shopped in person to gauge holiday price trends. He also met with market vendors to hear their concerns and exchanged holiday greetings with residents.
On the 22nd, he went to Gwango Traditional Market and bought goods using regional gift certificates, a local currency issued by the city for use at participating merchants. Sung walked through the market encouraging merchants busy preparing for the Chuseok shopping rush, and greeted shoppers while urging them to take an interest in traditional markets and use them more often.
"I am deeply grateful for the hard work of all the merchants keeping such busy schedules ahead of Chuseok," Sung said. "We will work to make traditional markets a closer and more convenient part of daily life for residents."
He added, "We will listen carefully to voices on the ground so that merchants can sustain their businesses with stability, and we will continue to push for the support they need."
Icheon is pursuing a range of programs to strengthen the competitiveness of traditional markets and small business owners. Key measures include special credit guarantees for small business loans, interest rate subsidies and projects to improve business environments.
The city also provides tailored training and consulting through its commercial district revitalization center. It is pairing commercial district programs with expanded use of Baedal Special, a public delivery app, as part of efforts to revive the local economy and support neighborhood businesses.
