District Mayor Choe visits Cheongnyangni Market Wednesday morning to encourage vendors and gather on-the-ground feedback... Inspects Dongdaemun-gu's flagship lifestyle economy hub, home to nine markets and commercial districts... Safety checks on electrical, fire and drainage facilities conducted ahead of monsoon season

Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choe Dong-min (right) greets a vendor at the market.
Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choe Dong-min (right) greets a vendor at the market.

Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choe Dong-min visited Cheongnyangni Market on Wednesday morning as his first community outreach stop since taking office in the ninth directly elected term, meeting with vendors to offer encouragement and hear their concerns firsthand.

The visit marked the start of his post-inauguration field activities at one of Dongdaemun-gu's most representative lifestyle economy sites. Choe met with merchants struggling under an economic slowdown and sluggish consumer spending, listening to their difficulties and exploring practical support measures for traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts.

Cheongnyangni Market is Dongdaemun-gu's flagship commercial hub, bringing together nine markets and shopping districts: Gyeongdong Market, Gyeongdong Gwangseong Shopping Center, Cheongnyangni General Market, Cheongnyangni Agricultural and Marine Products Market, Cheongnyangni Wholesale Market, Cheongnyangni Produce Market (Dongseo Market), Cheongnyangni Traditional Market, Cheongnyangni Fish Market and Seoul Yangnyeong Market. The cluster spans a wide range of sectors — fresh produce, seafood, traditional medicine and everyday goods — and has long underpinned the district's local economy.

Choe toured shops and common areas throughout the market, greeting vendors and collecting feedback on improving the market environment, expanding amenities and strengthening business support. The district office plans to review the suggestions raised that day with relevant departments and incorporate them into its traditional market revitalization policy.

A safety inspection ahead of the monsoon season was also conducted during the visit. Choe checked the condition of electrical and fire safety systems, drainage infrastructure and pedestrian pathways, and reviewed emergency management protocols for heavy rainfall and fire risks. The district will continue facility inspections and on-site management to create a market environment where residents and visitors feel safe.

The district plans to keep gathering on-the-ground feedback from Cheongnyangni Market and other major traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts across the area, developing tailored support measures suited to each market's conditions. It also intends to maintain ongoing communication with merchant associations to help revive the local economy and reinvigorate neighborhood commerce.

"Cheongnyangni Market is the heart of Dongdaemun-gu's everyday economy and a place where the lives of countless vendors and residents intersect," Choe said. "I will listen directly to what merchants have to say and reflect that in district administration to bring new energy to the market. We will build a market environment where residents feel safe coming and vendors feel empowered to thrive."


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