Seodaemun-gu (district mayor Park Woon-ki) will begin full implementation of the 2026 Culture and Tourism Market Development Program at Yeongcheon Market and Pobangter Market this month.
Yeongcheon Market was selected in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' competitive grant program for the second time — having first been chosen in 2022 — and will carry out a range of projects through next year as it works toward becoming a "global street-food specialty market linked to Seodaemun's history and tourism."
This year, the market will establish a multipurpose tourism center and operate experiential tourism programs for foreign visitors as well as a night market.
The multipurpose tourism center — designed to improve visitor convenience and provide market information — is planned to open inside Dongnimmun Culture Park, adjacent to Yeongcheon Market, by mid-August.
Inside the center, a photo zone and luggage storage lockers will be installed, while a symbolic sculpture featuring the Yeongcheon Market character will be placed outside.
Pobangter Market is pursuing the Culture and Tourism Market Development Program for two consecutive years. Last year, under the catchphrase "A market you return to, beyond a single day's stay," the market developed a new-retro specialty street and ran experiential and performance programs, local tours and children's activity programs.
This year, building on and expanding last year's initiatives, the market will introduce a new participatory market event — dubbed "Pobangter Da-IT-so" — once a month from July through September.
This month, on July 11, a variety of programs and events — including a 1,000-won shop, a children's grocery experience and a local startup showcase — will be held using vacant storefronts inside the market.
"We expect this project, which links Seodaemun-gu's culture, tourism and commercial districts, to not only draw more visitors but also contribute to establishing the area as a representative K-traditional market in Seoul and to revitalizing the local economy," district mayor Park said.
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